BEFORE THE IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION
CP # 09-91-21519
KATHRINE S. MARTIN, Complainant,
and
IOWA CIVIL RIGHTS COMMISSION,
v.
NORTHEAST IOWA MENTAL HEALTH CENTER AND J. DES MCIVOR, EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR. Respondents.
SUMMARY*
This matter came before the Iowa Civil Rights Commission on the Complaint, alleging
discrimination in employment on the basis of disability, filed by Kathrine Martin against the
Respondents Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center and J. Des McIvor.
Complainant Martin alleges that the Respondents replaced her in the position of substance abuse
counselor because of a perceived physical disability, cancer. Through her complaint, she alleges
that she was diagnosed with cancer on May 2, 1991. On May 16, 1991, she underwent surgery
for the cancer. During the time of treatment and recuperation, she alleged Respondent McIvor
was initially supportive of her. He informed her that full benefits would be paid through June 12,
1991 and instructed her to do "everything the doctors say until you can return." On August 2,
1991, she was informed during a telephone conversation with McIvor that someone else had
been hired to do her job. When she asked why, he allegedly stated that it was "because of your
cancer." He also allegedly stated, "In two months or two years, it (the cancer) could return." Her
doctors had, however, given her full permission to return to work. McIvor did offer Complainant
Martin a few hours of work per week with traveling and no benefits, which she found to be
unacceptable.
A public hearing on this complaint was held on June 7-8, 1994 before the Honorable Donald W.
Bohlken, Administrative Law Judge, at the City Council Chambers and the County Courthouse
in Decorah, Iowa. The Respondents were represented by attorney Donald H. Gloe. The Iowa
Civil Rights Commission was represented by Assistant Attorney General Teresa Baustian. The
Complainant was represented by attorney David Stamp.
The Respondents submitted a trial brief on June 7, 1994. The Complainant's Brief was received
on August 24, 1994. The Commission's Brief was received on August 25, 1994. The
Respondents' Reply Brief was received on or about September 8, 1994.
* This summary is provided as an aid to understanding the decision. It is not part of the findings of fact and
conclusions of law.
Complainant Martin proved her allegation of discrimination in employment because of a
perceived disability of recurring cancer. The complainant was terminated effective July 16, 1991
during a 16 week leave for the treatment of cancer. She was not informed of her termination until
August 2, 1991 when she had completed her treatment and was attempting to make arrangements
to return to work effective August 19, 1991, by which time she was fully recovered.
The Complainant established her case through direct evidence of discrimination. On August 2nd,
when she asked why she had been replaced, Respondent McIvor's response was "how do I know
but that you'll get cancer in two months or two years again?" McIvor had also indicated to
another employee that he was afraid that Complainant's cancer would return. To another he had
indicated he would not hire anymore older employees because the older they get, the sicker they
get.
The Respondents' reasons for their action were shown to be pretexts for discrimination.
Respondents argued that Complainant would not have been terminated if she had provided a
return to work date. The time she would have been able to return to work would have been only
two weeks after the starting date of her replacement. The Respondents, however, never asked
Complainant for such a date despite their frequent communications with her. Complainant had
also informed Respondents of her illness and provided information indicating her treatment
would end by August 1st. Under these circumstances, if her current absence, and costs associated
with it, were the only considerations in Respondent's decision-making process, it would be more
rational to expect Respondent to contact her and ask for a return to work date prior to hiring a
less productive new employee.
Respondents also argued that her failure to ask the board of directors for a leave of absence
extending beyond six weeks was a factor in her termination. However, Respondents had already
informed her that she had a paid leave of absence through June 24th and an unpaid leave of
absence thereafter. The six week period was already exhausted before June 24, 1991.
Finally, Respondents argued that the revenue losses associated with the time she was absent
played a role in the decision. There are several problems with the computations of and
assumptions underlying these loss estimates. However, the major problem is that the evidence
shows that only two weeks of the sixteen weeks worth of revenue losses during her absence were
avoided by replacing her with a less productive new hire who did not begin until August 5th.
Also, Respondents' admission that they would not have replaced her if they had known of her
return date indicates that they were willing to bear those costs. The only reason they did not
know of such a return date is their failure to ask. This failure tends to confirm what the direct
evidence shows, i.e that Respondents were concerned not only about her present absence, but
future recurrence of cancer.
Remedies awarded include $16,833.86 in back pay and benefits and $15,000.00 in compensatory
damages for emotional distress.
RULINGS ON OBJECTIONS AND MOTIONS:
A. Ruling on Objection to Conciliation Procedures:
1. Findings of Fact:
a. The Conciliation Process In This Case:
1. "Administrative Law Judge Don Grove determined on October 26, 1992, that Probable
Cause existed to credit the allegations of disability discrimination." (Stipulation of Facts
No. 11 hereinafter "Stip."). After this finding was made, the case was assigned to Carol
Leach, a conciliator on the Commission staff, for conciliation. (Tr. at 375-76). The usual
procedure followed by Ms. Leach is to review the investigative file in order to become
familiar with the remedial and other issues of the complaint. (Tr. at 377-78). Ms. Leach
then contacts the complainant and her attorney and formulates with them a proposal for
settlement. A proposed conciliation agreement is drafted and transmitted to respondent.
(Tr. at 383). After the transmittal of the proposal to the respondent, conciliation meetings
may be held either in person, by telephone conference, or other means.(Tr. at 386).
2. On December 9, 1992, Ms. Leach sent a proposed conciliation agreement to the
Respondent, (Tr. at 383, 389). Ms. Leach had several contacts with Respondent's counsel,
by telephone and letter, discussing conciliation. (R. EX. No. 21, 22; Tr. at 383). Ms.
Leach had formulated this proposal after first engaging in correspondence with the
complainant and her counsel. This was done in order to assist the conciliator in fulfilling
her role as an advocate who seeks a full remedy for the complainant. (R. Ex. # 22; Tr. at
383, 387). The Respondent surmised that the conciliator had met with the Complainant's
counsel prior to formulating a proposal and that a conciliator is not a neutral party. Once
the Respondent became aware of these facts, it refused to participate any further in
conciliation. In his letter of December 11, 1992 to the Commission, "Because of this you
leave us no choice other than to state pursuant to Section 601A.15(d) that the respondent
is unwilling to continue with the conciliation." (R. EX. # 21)(emphasis added). (While
this argument was not made on brief, Respondent stated in the letter that these procedures
denied his client due process.) (R. EX. 21). In her response of December 16, 1992, Ms.
Leach noted the respondent's refusal to continue with conciliation and asked him to
contact her if she was in error with respect to that. (R.EX. 22). Two days later the
Respondent confirmed they were not interested in further negotiation. (Tr. at 391).
b. Objection of Respondent:
3. At the outset of the hearing, the Respondents objected to the "entire proceeding
commencing with the conciliation on the basis that the Commission failed to follow the
statute by having a--specifically 216.15, by having a conference with the respondents
before initiating conciliation." (Tr. at 5). The same objection was made on the
Respondent's Prehearing Conference Form as follows: "The commission failed to follow
the mandate of Section 216.15 of the Code of Iowa as it attempted to impose conciliation
upon the Respondent without having a 'initial conciliation, (sic) meeting between the
Respondent and the commission staff' pursuant to Section 216.15(3)(b) of the Code of
Iowa.'"
c. Arguments of Respondent and Commission:
4. In it's response to these objections, which the Commission understood to focus on the
method by which meetings were held, i.e. by telephone or letter instead of face to face in
person meetings, the Commission argued that the legislature did not intend to limit the
conciliation process to face to face meetings. (Commission's Brief at 7-8).
5. In its reply brief, the Respondent asserts that the question of whether the legislature
intended for meetings to be in person or not is beside the point. (Respondent's Reply
Brief at 14.) The Respondent's argument is that the legislature intended that the
Commission should begin the conciliation process by formulating a position without any
input from the complainant. The Commission's conciliator should then meet alone with
the Respondent, "to present its own independent position and recommendations to
remedy the situation to the Respondent in an initial conciliation meeting." (Reply Brief at
15). The Respondent argues that by communicating first with the Complainant or her
counsel to ascertain what the Complainant desires in the way of a remedy, the
Commission staff violated the intent of the legislature. "The statute does not say if the
Complainant is represented by a lawyer, the Commission staff shall meet with said
lawyer and tell the Respondent what the Complainant wants in order to start the
conciliation proceeding. This relieves them of their responsibility to adopt a position on
their own to endeavor to eliminate the unfair or discriminatory practice." (Reply Brief at
15).
2. Conclusions of Law:
a. Statutory Authority on Conciliation:
6. The relevant parts of the Iowa Civil Rights Act concerning conciliation are set forth
below:
d. The Commission staff must endeavor to eliminate the discriminatory or
unfair practice by conference, conciliation, and persuasion for a period of
thirty days following theinitial conciliation meeting between the
respondent and the commission staff after a finding of probable cause.
After the expiration of thirty days, the director may order the
conciliation,conference, and persuasion procedure provided in this section
to be bypassed when the directordetermines the procedure is unworkable
by reason of past patterns and practices of the respondent, or a statement
by the respondent that the respondent is unwilling to continue with the
conciliation.
. . .
9. The terms of a conciliation agreement reached with the respondent may
require the respondent to refrain in the future from committing
discriminatory or unfair practices of the type stated in the agreement, to
take remedial action as in the judgment of the commission will carry out
the purposes of this chapter, and to consent to the entry in an appropriate
district court of a consent decree embodying the terms of the conciliation
agreement.
Iowa Code SS 601A.15 (3)(d) and .l5(9)(1991)(now codified as 216.15(3)(d) and
.l5(9))(emphasis added). These sections became effective on January 1, 1979 after they
were rewritten by amendment. Iowa Code Annotated 601A.15 (Supp. 1987)(historical
note citing Acts 1978 (67 G.A.) ch. 1179, SS 11 to 19).
7. Prior to the l979 amendments, the statutory provisions concerning conciliation stated,
in relevant part:
3. if . . . probable cause exists for crediting the allegations of the
complaint, the investigating official shall promptly endeavor to eliminate
such discriminatory or unfair practice by conference, conciliation, and
persuasion.
5. In case of failure to satisfactorily settle a complaint by conference,
conciliation, and persuasion, or in advance thereof if in the opinion of the
investigating official circumstances so warrant, the official may issue and
cause to be served a written notice together with a copy of such complaint
. . . requiring the . . . respondent, to answer the charges of the complaint in
writing within ten days after the date of such notice or within such
extended time as the investigating official may allow.
6. When the investigating official is satisfied that further endeavor to settle
a complaint by conference, conciliation and persuasion shall be futile, the
official shall report the same to the commission. If the commission
determines that the circumstances warrant, it shall issue . . . a written
notice requiring the respondent to answer the charges of the complaint at a
hearing.
Iowa Code Annotated S 601A.14 (1975)(emphasis added).
b. Pertinent Administrative Rules On Conciliation in Effect as of December 1992:
8. The relevant Commission rules on conciliation in effect on December 1992 are set
forth below. These rules became effective on January 13, 1988:
2.1(6)(d)....Whenever the offer of adjustment by a respondent is
acceptable to the investigating official, but not to the complainant, the
commission may close the case as satisfactorily adjusted. In a case which
has been determined by the commission as having probable cause, the
respondent's signature must be obtained before the case can be considered
to be satisfactorily adjusted.
2.1(6)(e) The term "successfully conciliated" shall mean that a written
agreement has been executed on behalf of the respondent, on behalf of the
complainant, and on behalf of the commission, the contents of which are
designed to remedy that alleged discriminatory act or practice and any
other unlawful discrimination which may have been uncovered during the
course of the investigation.
. . .
3.12(6) Conciliation. All cases that result in findings of probable cause
shall be assigned to a staff conciliator for the purpose of initiating attempts
to eliminate the discriminatory or unfair practice by conference,
conciliation, and persuasion. When a conference is held, a synopsis of the
facts which led to the finding of probable cause along with written
recommendations for resolution will be presented to respondent.
3.12(7) Participants. Both the complainant and respondent shall be
notified in writing of the time, date, and location of any conciliation
meeting. The complainant may be present during attempts at conciliation.
3.12(8) Limitation on conciliation. Upon the commencement of
conciliation efforts, the commission must allow at least 30 days for the
parties to reach an agreement. After the passage of 30 days the executive
director may order further conciliation attempts bypassed if it is
determined that the procedure is unworkable.
3.12(9) Conciliation agreements. A conciliation agreement shall become
effective after it has been signed by the respondent or authorized
representative, by the complainant or authorized representative, and by a
commissioner or executive director on behalf of the commission. Copies
of the agreement shall be served upon all parties.
161 IAC SS 2.1(6)(d)-(e); 3.12(6)-(9)(1992)(now superseded by sections 3.13(6)-
(10)(emphasis added).
c. Applicable Rules of Construction:
9. Administrative rules and statutes are interpreted and construed under the same rules.
Motor Club of Iowa v. Dept. of Transportation, 251 N.W.2d 510, 118 (Iowa 1977). The
polestar of all statutory construction is the search for the true intention of the legislature.
Iowa National Industrial Loan Co. v. Iowa State Dept. of Revenue, 224 N.W.2d 437, 439
(Iowa 1974). All other rules of construction are designed to reach this goal and may even
be disregarded if necessary to fulfill the legislature's intent. Id. The legislature intended
that the Iowa Civil Rights Act is to be broadly construed to effectuate its purposes. Iowa
Code S 601A.18 (1991).
10. In construing statutes strained, impractical, or absurd results should be avoided. Id. at
440. "Ordinarily, the usual and ordinary meaning is to be given the language used, but the
manifest intent of the legislature will prevail over the literal import of the words used."
Id. "Where language is clear and plain, there is no room for construction." Id. "It is
necessary to look at the object to be accomplished and the evils and mischiefs sought to
be remedied in reaching a reasonable or liberal construction which will best effect its
purpose rather than one which will defeat it." Id. "All parts of the enactment should be
considered together and undue importance should not be given to any single or isolated
portion." Id.
11. Phrases within a statute should be construed according to the context of the language.
See Iowa Code S 4.1(38). When a statute is ambiguous, the following should be
considered in determining the intention of the legislature: the object sought to be obtained
by the statute, the circumstances under which the statute was enacted, the legislative
history, the common law or former statutory provisions on the same or similar subjects,
the consequences of a particular construction, the administrative construction of the
statute and any preamble or statement of policy in the statute. See Iowa Code S 4.1(6).
d. Construction of Statutes Addressing Conciliation:
12. An examination of the pertinent statutes addressing conciliation in 1992 reveals that
the legislature did not establish a detailed step by step procedure of how the conciliation
process was to be implemented. See Iowa Code SS 601A.15 (3)(d), .15(9)(1991). The
legislature did not, for example, prohibit contacts between the Commission conciliator
and the complainant or her attorney prior to contacting the respondent or at any other
time. See Iowa Code SS 601A.15 (3)(d) (1991). Nor did the legislature require that the
initial conciliation meeting be limited to the participation of the conciliator and the
respondent. See id.
13. The legislature did set forth some broad requirements concerning conciliation in the
statute. See id. It is well recognized that such broad standards allow the agency to use its
administrative expertise to regulate and administer the details necessary to fulfilling the
legislature's intent. Cf. B. Schwartz, Administrative Law S 2.2 p. 44 (1991)("The courts .
. . acknowledge the comprehensive regulation required today is too intricate and detailed
for direct legislative processes").
14. Under the plain language of the statute, the legislature requires that "[t]he
Commission staff must endeavor to eliminate the discriminatory or unfair by conference,
conciliation or persuasion." Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d). See Iowa Code S 4.1(30)(b). It
is equally clear and plain that the legislature also established a minimum time period
during which such efforts must be made: "for a period of thirty days following the initial
conciliation meeting between the respondent and the commission staff after a finding of
probable cause." Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d). Once this time period has expired, the
director may order a bypass of further conciliation if he determines "the procedure is
unworkable by reason of past patterns and practices of the respondent, or a statement by
the respondent that the respondent is unwilling to continue with the conciliation." Id.
15. The import of the phrase "initial conciliation meeting between the respondent and the
commission staff," when viewed with respect to the full context of the statute, Iowa Code
S 4.1(38), is that the clock does not begin running on the time period until there has been
a conciliation meeting involving, at a minimum, the respondent and the commission staff.
And this would hold true regardless of whether there were prior contacts between the
Commission conciliator and the complainant. To hold that this phrase prohibits prior
communication with the complainant or limits participation in the meeting to the
respondent and Commission staff is to give undue importance to an isolated portion of
the statute. See Iowa National Industrial Loan Co, 224 N.W.2d at 440.
16. Both the amended statute and its predecessor require that efforts be made to conciliate
the case. See Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d)(1991); Iowa Code Ann. S 601A.14(3), (5)-
(6)(1975). The major impact of the 1979 amendments, insofar as the conciliation
requirements addressed here are concerned, is (a) the establishment of the minimum time
during which conciliation efforts with the respondent are to proceed before they may be
ended, and (b) the commission no longer had complete discretion to avoid the
conciliation process when "in the opinion of the investigating official circumstances so
warrant." See Iowa Code Ann. S 601A.14(5)(1975); Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d)(1991).
Neither the past nor present statute prohibit communication between the conciliator and
the complainant prior to the initial conciliation meeting. See Iowa Code Ann. S
601A.14(5)(1975); Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d)(1991).
17. The administrative construction of the statute is evident from the rules in effect in
1992. These rules treat the conciliation process as an effort involving all three parties, i.e.
the complainant, the respondent, and the Commission. See 161 IAC SS 2.1(6)(d)-(e);
3.12(6)-(9)(1992). The rules expressly allow the complainant to be present at all
conciliation meetings. Id. at S 3.12(7).
18. To construe these statutes as prohibiting contact between the conciliator and the
complainant prior to the initial conciliation meeting with the respondent would yield
strained, impractical and absurd results which are to be avoided. Iowa National Industrial
Loan Co., 224 N.W.2d at 440. The conciliator is expected to endeavor to eliminate the
respondent's "discriminatory or unfair practice." Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d)(1991). It is
anticipated that, as part of this effort, she will attempt to obtain "remedial action"
necessary to "carry out the purposes of this chapter." Id. at 601A.15(9). Such remedies
would include, for example, back pay, compensatory damages, and reinstatement or
hiring for the complainant. Id. at 601A.15(8)(a). The conciliator cannot know what
proposals to make on these issues without contacting the complainant. How would the
conciliator possibly be able to accurately formulate a back pay offer, in a discharge or
failure to hire case, without contacting the complainant and determining the amount of
interim earnings the complainant received after the discriminatory act in order to deduct
them from the back pay as required by Iowa Code section 601A.15(8)(a)(1)? How would
the conciliator be able to estimate an amount for emotional distress damages without
contacting the complainant to ascertain what emotional impact the discrimination had on
her? In failure to hire or discharge cases, the complainant is entitled to hiring or
reinstatement as a remedy. But often, in these cases, the complainant either has new
employment or the prior employment was so traumatic that he does not want
reinstatement. It would be impractical to hold that the law requires the commission staff
to attempt to persuade a respondent to agree to provide remedies which the complainant
will refuse. It would be absurd to conclude that the legislature intended for the conciliator
to be ignorant of the facts he needs to conciliate the case.
19. This legislation does not expressly address the question of whether or not the
conciliator may contact the complainant prior to the respondent. However, the courts
have recognized that when the legislature empowers an administrative agency to perform
a certain task, "everything necessary to carry out the power and make it effectual and
complete will be implied." Koelling v. Board of Trustees, 259 Iowa 1185, 1194, 146
N.W.2d 284 (1967). As the above examples illustrate, the conciliator may need to contact
the complainant prior to communicating with the respondent in order to effectively and
completely carry out the conciliation function. Therefore, the power to do so is implicit in
the Act.
20. The major federal anti-discrimination agency, the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC), is also required to "endeavor to eliminate any such alleged
unlawful employment practice by informal methods of conference, conciliation and
persuasion." 42 U.S.C. S 2000e-5(b). The EEOC's conciliators have long been expected
to "confer with the . . . complainant before meeting or contacting the respondent to
determine whether any events have occurred since the completion of the investigation
which would affect the original remedial objectives (e.g. . . complainant's employment
history and interest in hire/rehire, loss of earnings computation)." CCH, EEOC
Compliance Manual S 62.4(a) (1993)(procedures revised effective October
1988)(emphasis added); See also EEOC Compliance Manual 62-2 (Order 915, 1/79
update).
21. It is implicit in the statute that the conciliator is not a neutral party. The conciliator's
job is "to endeavor to eliminate the discriminatory or unfair practice" through completely
voluntary means. See Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d)(1991). The conciliator is to act on the
basis that there is, in fact, a "discriminatory or unfair practice" to eliminate. See id.
Elimination of such practices is the principal purpose of the Act. Foods, Inc. v. Iowa
Civil Rights Commission, 318 N.W.2d 162, 170 (Iowa 1982). There is no authority in the
statute empowering the conciliator to adjudicate the case or reevaluate the probable cause
finding. See id. at S 601A.15(3)(d)(1991). As noted in the Commission's reporter of its
contested case decisions:
A conciliator tries to negotiate the best possible settlement on behalf of the
Commission and the Complainant. The difference between mediation and
conciliation is that the conciliator, unlike the mediator, is an advocate for
the Commission. There having been a finding of probable cause that
discrimination has occurred, it is the conciliator's duty to try to negotiate
not only a remedy for the Complainant, but also a change in any practices
found to be discriminatory.
XI Iowa Civil Rights Commission Case Reports iv (1990-92)("Complaint Process").
22. Since conciliation is a completely voluntary, nonadjudicatory proceeding where the
Commission has no power to deprive a party of property, see Iowa Code S
601A.15(3)(d)(1991), constitutional guarantees of due process are not implicated. See
Estabrook v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 283 N.W.2d 306, 310 (Iowa 1979). "The
requirements of due process apply only to the deprivation of interests encompassed by
the fourteenth amendment's protection of liberty and property." Id. See also IOWA
CONST. art. 1 S 9; SEC v. O'Brien, 467 U.S. 735, 742 (1984)(procedure which
adjudicates no legal rights does not implicate due process).
23. Neither communicating with the complainant nor relaying the complainant's
proposals to the respondent prevents the Commission staff from making an independent
judgment as to whether a full remedy is offered by the respondent. Under the
Commission's rules, the Commission may close a case as being satisfactorily adjusted if,
in its independent judgment, it believes a full remedy is offered. 161 IAC S
2.1(6)(d)(1992).
24. It is unnecessary to address the methods by which conciliation meetings may be held
(i.e. in person meetings or other methods) as Respondent indicated its objections were not
directed to that concern. (Reply Brief at 14). However, it should be noted that the
statutory obligation of a party to meet to negotiate is fulfilled, even though no meeting
has occurred, when the opposing party responds to invitations to negotiate by refusing to
meet. Cf. In Re Alabama Symphony Assn., 155 B.R. 556, 576 (N.D. Ala.
1993)(bankruptcy debtor's obligation to meet with union prior to rejection of collective
bargaining agreement was fulfilled when union refused to meet with debtor). To hold
otherwise under this statute would give a respondent veto power over the Commission's
ability to take a case to public hearing. See Iowa Code S 601A.15(3)(d) (1991)(setting
time at which conciliation may be terminated at 30 days after the conciliation meeting
with the respondent). It would be unreasonable to hold that the requirement for a
conciliation meeting, however "meeting" is defined, is not fulfilled whenever a meeting is
not held because the respondent refuses to negotiate or participate in such a meeting.
3. Ruling:
25. The Commission's staff acted in accordance with the law in its conciliation efforts
with respect to all the actions objected to by Respondent. The Respondent also informed
the Commission during the conciliation process that it was "unwilling to continue with
the conciliation." Respondent's objection, therefore, is overruled.
B. Ruling on Motion to Dismiss:
1. At the close of the hearing, the Respondents made a motion for dismissal. (Tr. at 393).
This motion was based on the argument that the Commission had failed to carry its
burden of persuasion because (a) the statute provides that the case in support of the
complaint shall be presented by the commission's attorney, (b) the burden of proof is on
the Commission, (c) the evidence was introduced through the complainant's attorney, not
the Commission's attorney, (d) this evidence was not formally adopted by the
Commission's attorney, and, therefore, (e) the Commission failed to met its burden of
persuasion because evidence was not presented by its attorney. (Tr. at 393-94).
2. The statutory authorities relied upon by the Respondent are Iowa Code sections
216.15(6)(1993)(formerly 601A.15(6)) and 216.15(7)(1993)(formerly 601A.15(7)).
These sections provide:
6. The case in support of such complaint shall be presented at the hearing
by one of the commission's attorney's or agents. The investigating official
shall not participate in the hearing except as a witness nor participate in
the deliberations of the commission in such case.
7. The hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 17A for contested cases. The burden of proof in such a hearing
shall be on the commission.
Iowa Code S 216.15(6), (7) (1993).
3. While the Respondent emphasizes the provisions concerning the presentation of
evidence by the commission's attorney's or agents and the burden of proof being on the
commission, Iowa Code S 216.15(6), (7), it neglects the provision providing that the
"hearing shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 17A [the Iowa
Administrative Procedures Act] for contested cases." Iowa Code S 216.15(7). It is
important to note that this latter provision was added by the 1979 amendments. Acts 1978
(67 G.A.) ch. 1179, S 15).
4. This amendment requiring compliance with the Iowa Administrative Procedures Act
(IAPA) provisions for contested cases replaced four subsections of the Iowa Civil Rights
Act setting forth hearing procedures. Acts 1978 (67 G.A.) ch. 1179, S 15. One of the
stricken provisions provided that the complainant might be allowed, at the discretion of
the hearing officer, to intervene and present evidence at the hearing. Iowa Code Ann. S
601A.14(8)(1975). The effect of the amendment, however, was to recognize that the
complainant (as well as the Commission and respondent) had a right to an "[o]pportunity
. . . to respond and present evidence and argument on all issues involved and to be
represented by counsel." Iowa Code S 17A.12(4), "in accordance with the provisions of
chapter 17A for contested cases." Iowa Code S216.15 (7) (1993). It is inherent in this
statute that all three parties, the Commission, the Complainant, and the Respondent, also
have the right to present evidence by the introduction of exhibits and the examination of
witnesses. See Iowa Code S 17A.12(4). After the amendment, the Complainant's
opportunity to present evidence was not subject to the discretion of the hearing officer.
See id;.Acts1978 (67 G.A.) ch. 1179, S 15.
5. This right would be rendered meaningless, however, if the evidence presented by the
complainant were not to be considered in determining whether the Commission had met
its burden of proof. This absurd result which would be contrary to the legislature's intent
in giving parties the right to present evidence, Iowa Code S 17A.12(4), requiring the
record to include "[a]ll evidence received or considered," id. at S 17A.12(6)(b), requiring
findings of fact to be "based solely on evidence in the record and on matters officially
noticed in the record." id. at S 17A.12(8), and requiring reversal or other corrective action
on judicial review, if the decision is "unsupported by substantial evidence in the record . .
. when that record is viewed as a whole." Id. at 17A.19(8)(f)(emphasis added). There is
no statute or other legal authority requiring the Commission in its prosecutorial capacity
to formally adopt the evidence in the record introduced by any other party, whether
complainant or respondent, before that evidence can be considered in deciding whether
the Commission has met its burden of proving discrimination.
6. Finally, the statute requiring the Commission's attorneys or agents to present evidence
in support of the complaint, Iowa Code S 216.15(6), is a directory, not a mandatory,
statute. The difference was explained in Foods, Inc. v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission:
Mandatory and directory statutes each impose duties. The difference
between them lies in the consequence for failure to perform the duty.
Whether the statute is mandatory or directory depends upon legislative
intent. When statutes do not resolve the issue expressly, statutory
construction is necessary. If the prescribed duty is essential to the main
objective of the statute, the statute ordinarily is mandatory and a violation
will invalidate subsequent proceedings under it. If the duty is not essential
to accomplishing the principal purpose of the statute, but is designed to
assure order and promptness in the proceeding, the statute is ordinarily
directory and a violation will not invalidate subsequent proceedings unless
prejudice is shown.
Foods, Inc. vs. Iowa Civil Rights Comm., 318 N.W.2d 162, 170 (Iowa 1982)(quoting
Taylor v. Dept. of Transportation, 260 N.W.2d 521, 522-23 (Iowa 1977)).
7. Iowa Code subsection 216.15(6) does not expressly state whether it is directory or
mandatory. The subsection has remained intact from the time when the complainant had
no statutory right to present evidence and the Act made no provision for attorney's fees or
monetary remedies beyond back pay. See Iowa Code Ann. SS 601A.14 (7), (8), (12)
(1975). It was understood that it might be difficult for a complainant to retain counsel if
his fees were to be paid out of the limited damages then available. See Bonfield, A., State
Civil Rights Statutes: Some Proposals, 40 Iowa L. Rev. 1067, 1113 (1964)(noting
difficulty of retaining plaintiff's counsel in civil rights action due to limited damages--the
influence of this article on the content of the Iowa Civil Rights Act was recognized in
United States Jaycees v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 427 N.W.2d 450, 454 (Iowa
1988)). This provision, therefore, helps to assure order and promptness in the public
hearing in two ways. First, by assigning to Commission attorneys or representatives the
task of presenting evidence in support of the complaint, the statute avoids the confusion
of proceedings where pro se complainants would be required to attempt to present the
evidence themselves. Second, it resolved the question of whether the Commission could
properly present evidence as a party acting in the public interest at its hearings. Cf. Cedar
Rapids Human Rights Commission v. Cedar Rapids Community School District, 222
N.W.2d 391, 395 (Iowa 1974)(local civil rights commission acts as plaintiff on behalf of
the public interest in hearings before the agency). Of course, the provision still serves
both purposes in those cases where complainants are not represented by counsel and the
second purpose where evidence is presented by both the Commission's and complainant's
counsel.
8. Nonetheless, subsection 216.15(6) is subsidiary to the principal purpose of the Act, "to
eliminate unfair and discriminatory practices in . . . employment," Foods, Inc., 318
N.W.2d at 170 (quoting 1965 Session, 61st G.A., ch. 121). That purpose can be served
equally well by the presentation of evidence either by the complainant's counsel or the
Commission's counsel. There is no showing that Respondent has been prejudiced by the
Complainant's exercise of her statutory right to present evidence or by any failure of the
Commission's counsel to do so. See id.
9. The motion to dismiss is denied.
D. Ruling on Whether Question Requests Evidence Which is Irrelevant, Immaterial or
Incompetent:
1. The Respondent objected to the following question, which was asked of Complainant
Martin, on the grounds that it was irrelevant, immaterial and incompetent: "Q. What was
your understanding of what John [Bandstra, a therapist employed by Respondent who
worked in Oelwein] was supposed to be doing as far as keeping Northeast Iowa Mental
Health Center informed of your progress?" (Tr. at 31).
2. As a general rule, "administrative agencies are not bound by technical rules of
evidence." Hamer v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 472 N.W.2d 259, 262 (Iowa 1991).
The Commission may rely on "the kind of evidence on which reasonably prudent persons
are accustomed to rely for the conduct of their serious affairs." Iowa Code S 17A.14(1).
However, "[i]rrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious evidence should be excluded."
Id.
3. The witness here was competent to testify as to her own understanding of what Mr.
Bandstra was supposed to be doing with respect to keeping the Northeast Iowa Mental
Health Center informed of her progress. Therefore the objection as to competency is
overruled.
4. The question asks for relevant information which tends to "make the existence of [a]
fact of consequence to the determination of the [contested case] more or less probable
than it would be without such evidence." Iowa R. Evid. 401 (definition of relevant
evidence). The fact is the complainant's understanding of Bandstra's role in keeping the
Respondents informed of her progress with respect to her cancer surgery and recovery.
This has some bearing on the question of whether respondent was kept informed of the
progress of her illness. The question also requests material evidence as it is pertinent to
that issue. BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY 881 (5th ed. 1979)(citing Vine Street Corp. v.
City of Council Bluffs, 220 N.W.2d 860, 863 (definition of material evidence)). The
objections to materiality and relevancy are also overruled.
E. Ruling on Other Concerns Raised on Brief:
1. There are some other concerns with Commission procedures raised on Respondent's
Reply Brief which should be addressed although they are not dispositive. (Reply Brief at
13-14). Respondents seem to suggest that the complainant is being represented by two
counsel, her attorney and the assistant attorney general, both of whom were allowed to
examine witnesses. Respondents feel this is unfair and contrast this situation with that in
trial court where "a party may employ as many attorneys as he wants . . . but . . . only one
of them may question any one witness and they may not take turns questioning that
witness." (Reply Brief at 13-14). The basic misunderstanding here is the failure to realize
that there are two "plaintiffs" in this proceeding, not one. The first is the Commission
operating in its prosecutorial capacity, on behalf of the public interest, as the party with
the burden of proof. See Iowa Code S 216.15(6), (7); Cedar Rapids Human Rights
Commission v. Cedar Rapids Community School District, 222 N.W.2d 391, 395 (Iowa
1974). By definition, the burden of proof can only be imposed on an entity who is a party.
See BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY 178 (5th ed. 1979)("burden of proof"). In
accordance with the statutes, it is represented by an assistant attorney general. Iowa Code
SS 13.2, 13.7. The second is the Complainant, represented by her counsel under Iowa
Code S 17A.12(4), who is protecting her statutory and due process property "right not to
be discriminated against because of her [disability]." Estabrook v. Iowa Civil Rights
Commission, 283 N.W.2d 305, 310 (Iowa 1979). As in civil court proceedings, each
party is entitled to examine or cross-examine witnesses, as required by due process. See
Koelling v. Board of Trustees, 259 Iowa 1185, 1197, 146 N.W.2d 284 (1967).
2. Relying only on an article which cites no legal authority, McKinley, The President's
Letter, 54 The Iowa Lawyer 4 (February 1994), Respondents argue that the combination
of investigative, probable cause, and adjudicative functions within an administrative
agency is unfair. The Iowa Supreme Court, however, has held for almost thirty years that
"[a] 'fair day in court' is not defeated by the fact the hearing is before the same
administrative agency which lawfully conducted a prehearing investigation or preferred
charges." Cedar Rapids Steel Transportation Inc. v. Iowa State Commerce Commission,
160 N.W.2d 825, 836 (Iowa 1968). The Iowa Supreme Court, the United States Supreme
Court, and the two leading legal treatises on administrative law are all in agreement that
the general combination of investigative, probable cause, prosecutorial, and adjudicative
functions within an agency does not violate due process. See e.g. id.; Board of Dental
Examiners v. Hufford, 461 N.W.2d 194, 200 (Iowa 1990); Hartwig v. Board of Nursing,
448 N.W.2d 321, 323-24 (Iowa 1989); Wedergren v. Board of Directors, 397 N.W.2d 12,
17-18 (Iowa 1981); Withrow v. Larkin, 421 U.S. 35, 53, 56-58 (1978); B. Schwartz,
Administrative Law S 6.22, p. 356 (1991); 3 K. Davis, Administrative Law Treatise
(1980) 384 (citing Withrow at 53). The combination of prosecutorial and adjudicative
functions in the same individual may violate due process, Wedergren, 307 N.W.2d at 18,
but such combination cannot happen here. Iowa Code S 17A.17(3). Also, the only
significance of the probable cause finding in this hearing is that it is a statutory
prerequisite to the holding of the hearing. Iowa Code S 216.15(3).
FINDINGS OF FACT:
I. JURISDICTIONAL AND PROCEDURAL FACTS:
A. Stipulated Facts:
1. The parties stipulated to certain procedural and jurisdictional facts:
8. The Complainant, Kathrine S. Martin, filed a verified complaint with
the Iowa Civil Rights Commission on September 20, 1991, alleging a
violation of Iowa Code Chapter 601A (renumbered as Chapter 216 in the
1993 Iowa Code) by discrimination on the basis of age, sex, and perceived
physical disability which filing was within the statute of limitations.
9. A true copy of the verified complaint was promptly served by certified
mail upon the Respondents on September 26, 1991.
10. The investigation of the complaint was completed, with the
investigator recommending a finding of No Probable Cause with respect to
the allegations of age and sex discrimination and probable cause as to the
allegation of discrimination on the basis of disability discrimination.
11. Administrative Law Judge Don Grove determined on October 26,
1992, that Probable Cause existed to credit the allegations of disability
discrimination.
12. The Respondents were notified of the determination on October 28,
1992, by certified letters No. 32,544 and No.. 32,545.
13. The Executive Director of the Commission, Don Grove, recommended
bypassing further conciliation on January 3, 1994; Sally O'Donnell, a
Commissioner of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, made a
determination on January 11, 1994, to bypass conciliation and proceed to
public hearing. This determination is evidenced by a Report to the
Commissioner.
14. The Respondents were notified that conciliation had failed on January
27, 1994.
(Stipulation of Facts).
B. Subject Matter Jurisdiction:
2. The complaint allegation which was the subject of this hearing was
discrimination in employment on the basis of "perceived physical disability."
(Stip. No. 8; Notice of Hearing). Specifically, Complainant alleges that the
Respondents replaced her in the position of substance abuse counselor because of
a perceived physical disability, cancer. This is a sufficient allegation to bring the
complaint within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission.
C. Timeliness:
3. The parties have stipulated that the complaint was timely filed. (Stip. No. 8).
D. Jurisdictional Prerequisites:
4. The parties have stipulated that the complaint was investigated, that probable cause
was found, that the Respondent was notified that conciliation had failed, and that the
Executive Director and a Commissioner determined to bypass further conciliation and
proceed to public hearing. (Stip. Nos. 10-14). The Respondent's objections to conciliation
procedures followed in this case have been overruled. Notice of Hearing was issued on
March 11, 1994. (Notice of hearing).
II. BACKGROUND:
A. Background of Complainant:
5. The Complainant, Katherine Martin was hired by Respondent Northeast Iowa Mental
Health Center (NEIMHC) as a full time substance abuse counselor effective March 12,
1990. (CP. EX. 1; R. EX. 9; Tr. at 13). (Exhibits marked "plaintiff's exhibit" or
"petitioner's exhibit" or "exhibit" are referred to here as "CP. EX." for "complainant's
exhibit". All respondent's exhibits are so marked). Her duties in that position involved
evaluating clients, teen education, chemical dependency group, adult group, individual
counseling sessions, and writing progress notes and other necessary paperwork. (Tr. at
16). She mainly worked out of the Oelwein office of NEIMHC. (Tr. at 16-17).
6. On April 25, 1991, the Complainant had a biopsy done. (Tr. at 17-18). On May 1, 1991
she learned that she had cancer. (Tr. at 18). The tests showed that she had cancer of the
floor of her mouth. (Dr. Vega deposition, hereinafter "Vega dep." at 5; CP EX. 2).
7. The Complainant had taken some time off work for the biopsy. (Tr. at 21-22).
Therefore, her last full day of work before her cancer surgery was April 24, 1991. (Stip.
No. 4).
8. On May 9, 1991 the Complainant underwent outpatient surgery. (CP. EX 2; Tr. at 22-
23). This surgery involved using various apparatus to visually examine the larynx, the
esophagus, and bronchial tubes of the lungs. Multiple biopsies of the floor of the mouth
were also taken. (CP. EX. 2). On May 16, 1991, the Complainant underwent inpatient
surgery. (CP. EX. 2; Tr. at 23). This was described as "a floor of mouth resection and
bilateral supraomohyoid neck dissections." (CP. EX. 2). "Resection" refers to the
"excision of a segment or a part." Stedman's Illustrated Medical Dictionary 1220 (5th
Unabridged Lawyers Ed. 1982). "Dissection" refers to the act, in an operation of
"separat[ing] different structures along natural lines by dividing the connective tissue
framework." Id. at 415. The surgery was serious enough that, for fourteen days in the
hospital, Complainant Martin was not able to speak due to the insertion of a "trach tube."
(CP. EX. # 1; Tr. at 31). On May 30, 1991, Complainant was released from the hospital.
(Tr. at 27).
9. After a healing period, for her surgery, Complainant Martin began radiation therapy on
June 14, 1991. This consisted of repeated treatments of 45 seconds of radiation to the
very front of Complainant's face, mouth and neck and an additional 30 seconds on both
sides. This treatment burns out both healthy and cancerous tissue resulting in a significant
amount of pain and other adverse reactions to the treatment. (CP. EX. 2; Tr. at 28). This
six and one-half week treatment was undertaken because she had a residual tumor at the
floor of the mouth and at one lymph node. (Vega dep. at 6). Because of her difficulty in
tolerating the treatment, it was interrupted, beginning July 5th, for five days to allow her
mouth to heal and then resumed. Her radiation treatment ended on July 30, 1991. (Vega
dep. at 7, 8; CP. EX. 2; Tr. at 28). A person undergoing this type of treatment would not
be able to engage in their usual work. (Vega dep. at 6). Complainant was unable to work
from April 29, 1991 through August 19, 1991, at which time she was given a complete
release to return to work from her treating physicians. (Stip. No. 4). Official notice is
taken that this period extended for a total of sixteen (16) weeks. Fairness to the parties
does not require that they be given the opportunity to contest this fact.
10. Complainant Martin's sick leave and vacation benefit days were exhausted by noon
on May 29, 1991. (R. EX. # 10; Tr. at 180, 188-89). J. Des McIvor decided to exercise
his prerogative as Executive Director and extend Complainant's benefits and salary until
June 24, 1991. (CP. EX. 1, 6; Tr. at 99-100, 166-68, 276-77, 339). This action is
consistent with Complainant's admission in her complaint that the Respondents were
initially supportive of her. (Notice of Hearing). She was also informed on June 5th that,
after June 24, 1991, she would be on a leave of absence without pay, but NEIMHC would
pay one half of her single medical policy. (CP. EX. 1).
11. On August 2, 1991, Complainant Martin telephoned J. Des McIvor, her supervisor
and executive Director of NEIMHC in order to confirm a meeting scheduled for August
12, 1991 to discuss her return to work. (Tr. at 44-45, 334, 336). It was during this
conversation that Mr. McIvor first informed her that she may not have her old job to
return to and that he had hired someone else. (Tr. at 45-46). At the meeting on August
12th, Complainant Martin was informed by McIvor that "she has no job at the current
time." (CP. EX. # 1-JDM dictation of 8/13/91). She was also offered three alternatives by
McIvor: (1) Unemployment insurance, (2) Disability insurance, and (3) Part-time
employment wherein, at least initially, she could only be assured of employment at the
rate of about four hours per week with no benefits such as insurance. (CP. EX. # 1-JDM
dictation of 8/13/91; Tr. at 49-51, 104, 107, 297, 330-331, 352). There are other aspects
of the August 2nd and 12th conversations which will be discussed later. The Complainant
elected to file for unemployment insurance as she could not survive on four hours per
week of employment and was not eligible for disability insurance, as she was not actually
disabled. (CP. EX. 1; Tr. at 49-50, 52). She filed on or about August 18, 1991. Her
unemployment insurance was not contested by NEIMHC. (CP. EX. 1).
12. "The Complainant, Kathrine S. Martin, was rehired by the Respondent, Northeast
Iowa Mental Health Center, on August 25, 1992, as a substance abuse counselor. She is
still employed in that capacity and has no disabilities which interfere with her
performance of the work." (Stip. No. 1).
B. Background of Respondents:
13. "The Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center is a private, non-profit community mental
health center organized specifically for the purpose of providing outpatient mental health
and substance abuse services to a defined catchment area." (R. EX. 16, 17). In 1991, this
area included seven counties in northeast Iowa. (R. EX. 16, 17). The main office is in
Decorah with a branch office in Oelwein. (R. EX. 17). The NEIMHC has an elected
policy making board of directors composed of members from the participating counties.
(Tr. at 216). The board meets annually. (Tr. at 217).
14. The NEIMHC administers both a mental health component and a substance abuse
component. The two programs are funded differently and have different standards. (Tr. at
212).
15. The duties of a substance abuse counselor begin with doing intake assessments of
clients. This is an assessment of the client's social history, substance abuse history, legal
history, psychiatric history, health history, and financial history. (Tr. at 230). The
counselor also is involved in individual and group counseling. (Tr. at 232).
Approximately 60 per cent of a counselor's time is spent in direct patient contact
activities such as assessment and counseling. The remaining 40 per cent of their time is
spent on such activities as filling out paperwork, conferring with probation officers and
meeting the needs of referral sources. (Tr. at 231).
16. J. Desmond McIvor has been executive director of the Northeast Iowa Mental Health
Center since 1967. (Tr. at 208). Mr. McIvor also practices his profession as a psychiatric
social worker who sees patients. (Tr. at 210). It is his responsibility to hire and discharge
employees at NEIMHC. There are, however, limitations on his authority to discharge
non-probationary employees which are described more fully below. (CP. EX. # 6; Tr. at
271).
17. Under the personnel manual, professional staff employees are under a probationary
period for the first six months. Professional staff employees "may be discharged during
the six (6) . . . month probationary period for any cause deemed worthy by the Executive
Director. The grievance process is not available to employees on probation." (CP. EX. #
6; Tr. at 310).
18. Pertinent personnel manual provisions governing the discharge of full time staff who
are no longer probationary employees state:
Full time staff who have passed their probationary period and for
justifiable reasons are no longer able to maintain a satisfactory evaluation
of job performance relating to attitude, dependability, quality of work,
quantity of work, job knowledge, or insubordination will be approached
by their immediate supervisor, whether it be the Executive Director or the
Assistant to the Director, and informed of their poor performance in
writing. Part of this communication will indicate that another evaluation
will be made. This will be documented in memo form and placed in the
employee's personnel folder.
If the performance continues to be poor, the employee can be asked to
resign by the Assistant to the Director or the Executive Director. If the
employee refuses to resign, the Executive Director or the Assistant to the
Director is to complete a written evaluation that is to be shared with the
employee and sent to the Personnel Committee of the Board with
recommendations for the employee to be terminated under the rules and
regulations described previously in the personnel policies. The employee
may then request a hearing with the Personal Committee or, if necessary,
with the full Board.
(CP. EX. # 6).
19. Pertinent leave provisions provide:
XII. VACATIONS
. . .
Center Absence Clause
A Center employee shall not be absent from work longer than six (6)
consecutive weeks unless approved by the Board of Directors in advance.
No combination of holidays, vacation, leaves or interpretation of any other
personnel policy items, or past Center policy items may be used to exceed
the six (6) consecutive week restriction unless approved by the Board of
Directors. The only exception is the Maternity Leave policy. (Section
XIV).
XIII. SICK LEAVE
Sick leave with full pay is allowed to all full-time employees when they
are incapacitated for duty due to illness or injury. Sick leave is allowed on
the basis of one (1) working day per mouth or twelve (12) per year of
service. Sick leave cannot be taken until one month of continued service is
completed.
Employees shall be allowed to accumulate a total of twenty (20) days of
sick leave. Any accumulated sick leave in excess of 20 days shall
accumulate as "permanent disability" leave up to a total of seventy (70)
working days. Any accumulated sick leave beyond the 20 working days
and 70 permanent disability days shall be forfeited.
Permanent Disability
In the event an employee is found to be permanently disabled, as
diagnosed by a physician, the employee shall be paid during the duration
of his/her accumulated permanent disability to the extent of his/her
accumulated permanent disability leave to a maximum of 70 days as
described above.
For the purpose of this policy, permanent disability means that because of
injury or sickness, the employee is completely prevented from engaging in
any occupation for which he/she is suited by education, training, or
experience. The employee must be under a physician's care during this
time.
Additional Guidelines
In case of absence due to illness in excess of three (3) working days,
evidence of medical treatment may be required before a return to work is
authorized or before payment of such absence is authorized.
In cases of continued or repeated periodic absence due to illness, the
Executive Director may require evidence of professional care and
treatment.
In cases where the duration of illness exceeds the allotted time for leave,
further leave may be granted by the Executive Director.
It is the employee's responsibility to report his/her absence due to illness
as soon as possible. Unless otherwise directed, the employee shall notify
his/her immediate supervisor.
. . .
XV. ABSENCE FROM WORK WITHOUT PAY
Leaves of absence are not encouraged by the Center because of problems
arising regarding adequate coverage during periods when essential
personnel are absent. Under unusual circumstances, however, approval
may be given by the Executive Director for such absences. Employees
desiring leaves of absence should make application as far in advance of
the time desired as possible in order to provide adequate time for
administrative consideration. Vacation and sick leave do not accrue during
the day or days of leaves of absence without pay.
(CP. EX. # 6)(emphasis added).
20. During the course of Complainant Martin's absence, the NEIMHC hired a new
substance abuse counselor, Allen Ekholm, for the Oelwein office. Mr. Ekholm began
work on August 5, 1991. (CP. EX. 3; Tr. at 192-93, 201, 272, 288). The offer of
employment was extended to him by a letter from J. Des. McIvor dated July 10, 1991. It
was accepted by his signing and returning a copy of the letter on July 12, 1991. The letter
was received by NEIMHC on July 16, 1991. (CP. EX. 3; Tr. at 193). Mr. Ekholm had
interviewed with NEIMHC over a two or three month period of time beginning in May
1991, after responding to an advertisement placed by McIvor on May 6th. (CP. EX. 5; Tr.
at 192, 271-72). When McIvor sent Mr. Ekholm the letter of July 10th, he knew he was
hiring Ekholm to replace Complainant Martin. (Tr. at 288, 329).
III. CREDIBLE DIRECT EVIDENCE IN THE RECORD DEMONSTRATES THAT THE
COMPLAINANT WAS REPLACED BECAUSE OF A PERCEIVED PHYSICAL
DISABILITY:
A. Respondent J. Des McIvor, Acting as Executive Director of the Respondent NEIMHC,
Perceived Complainant Martin to Be Physically Disabled:
1. This Complaint is Concerned With An Allegation of Discrimination on the Basis of Perceived
Disability, Not Actual Disability:
21. The parties stipulated that: "The Complainant was never permanently disabled, but
was merely unavailable for work until she completed her treatment and therapy." (Stip.
No. 2). This stipulation is consistent with the complaint which alleges discrimination on
the basis of perceived physical disability as opposed to an actual physical disability
during the time she was absent due to treatment of her cancer in 1991. The claim is that
cancer occurring at a future date was perceived as a disability The only individual alleged
to have this perception was J. Des McIvor, Executive Director of NEIMHC. There is no
claim based upon discrimination due to temporary disability. The allegation concerns a
perceived disability which may occur or recur over a period of months or even years.
(Notice of Hearing).
2. Complainant Martin's Testimony Concerning Her Conversations With Respondent McIvor on
August 2 and 12, 1991 Is More Credible and Provides Direct Evidence of Discrimination:
22. There is substantial, credible direct evidence that J. Des McIvor did perceive
Complainant Martin to be physically disabled. During their August 2, 1991 telephone
conversation, Complainant Martin asked Mr. McIvor if she still had a job, as he had made
very little comment during the conversation. He replied "You may not." (Tr. at 45). She
asked what was going on. McIvor stated "I've hired somebody else." Martin replied,
"You hired somebody else to do my job? Its about the time that I'm going back to work."
(Tr. at 46). McIvor then responded, "How do I know but that you'll get cancer in two
months or two years again?" (Tr. at 46, 106). He stated he had to hire somebody. (Tr. at
106).
23. Taken in the total context of the conversation, this remark is an explanation as to why
a replacement was hired. Martin then commented that she could also cross the street and
get hit by a car. She finally confirmed she would meet with him on the 12th, as there was
nothing further to say. (Tr. at 46).
24. On August 12, 1991, as previously noted, Complainant Martin did meet with
Respondent McIvor. It is undisputed that, during that meeting, one of the options given
Martin was to file for disability insurance. See Finding of Fact No. 11.
24A. There is no evidence in the record to indicate that, on August 2nd or 12th, McIvor
believed that Complainant Martin had not recovered from the cancer she was treated for.
His notes made concerning the conversation of August 12th refer to "her recovery from
cancer." (CP. EX. 1). The concerns he expressed on August 2nd dealt with future
occurrences of cancer. See Finding of Fact No. 22.
25. Complainant Martin's demeanor and testimony indicated that her recollection of the
August 2, 1991 telephone conversation was clear, definite, and certain. (Tr. at 46). She
did not have to rely upon her journal notes or other documentation to refresh her
recollection on this matter. (Tr. at 44). Her testimony is also credible because it is
consistent with her statements made in her complaint on September 18, 1991. The
complaint, sworn before a notary public, states that on August 2, 1991, "Respondent
stated he had hired someone to do my job. In asking him why he stated that it was
'because of your cancer' and also he said "In two months or two years, it (the cancer)
could return.'" (Notice of Hearing).
26. Respondent McIvor testified that he did not remember talking about cancer to the
complainant on the phone on August 2, 1991. (Tr. at 304). With respect to the
conversation on August 12th, where he gave the Complainant the option of filing for
disability insurance, he testified that he did not feel she was disabled when he made that
suggestion. (Tr. at 352). He testified that he suggested she check this out because it was
the only resource the NEIMHC had available which might be worth checking out. (Tr. at
298, 352). He further testified that he did not know what the personnel policy gave as a
definition of disability when he made this suggestion. He stated that he did not have any
definition of disability in mind when he made the suggestion. (Tr. at 333-34). He testified
that on neither August 2nd or 12th did Complainant Martin act or appear to him to be
disabled. (Tr. at 352-53).
27. With respect to the August 2nd conversation, Complainant has the better, clearer,
more detailed memory. With respect to August 12th, it is certainly true that the
recommendation to an employee by an employer to check out a disability policy does not
necessarily mean she is perceived as disabled. This is not believable as the explanation
for the suggestion in this case, however, because of the prior remarks McIvor made to the
Complainant on August 2nd and his remarks to others discussed below.
3. Respondent McIvor's Remarks to Alice Scott and Allen Ekholm:
28. In 1991, Alice Scott was employed as a clinical social worker with NEIMHC. (Tr. at
115). At some point after Complainant Martin began her leave, Ms Scott found out she
was gone due to cancer. (Tr. at 118). During that time, McIvor made a statement to
several persons, including Ms. Scott, who were talking about Ms. Martin's illness.
McIvor made a remark to the effect that he wasn't going to hire any more people over 50
because the older they got, the sicker they became. (Tr. at 120, 129). He also made a
remark about money, to the effect that he couldn't afford it. ( Tr. at 120). It should be
noted, however, that these statements were, to a degree, made in a humorous context,
although Ms. Scott did not find them to be funny, but offensive. (Tr. at 129). Ms. Scott
felt Mr. McIvor tried to make "a joke out of everything." (Tr. at 130). There is nothing in
the record to indicate that Ms. Scott was a biased witness.
29. Allen Ekholm had a conversation with Mr. McIvor about Complainant Martin and her
cancer. This conversation was "somewhere around the time of when it was known by
everyone that she wouldn't return to work. I don't know if it was right before or right
after, but it was somewhere around that time." (Tr. at 196). Certain documents help
provide an idea of when that time might be. On August 14, 1991, NEIMHC received a
letter, dated August 13, 1991, from Complainant Martin to Mr. McIvor. In that letter,
Martin indicates she had consulted with her doctors who indicated that she was ready to
return to her job and perform her duties as she had prior to surgery. Therefore, she stated,
"the Long Term Disability Insurance will not work for me." She also asked to return to
her full-time position with benefits. If this was not acceptable, she would have to file for
unemployment insurance. (CP. EX 1). On August 19, 1991, she verbally informed
McIvor that she was "going to try for unemployment insurance." (CP. EX. 1).
Complainant Martin filed for unemployment insurance was on August 18, 1991. See
Finding of Fact No. 11. Notice of this filing was mailed to NEIMHC on August 21, 1991.
The copy of the notice in Complainant's personnel file is date stamped "AUG 23 1991".
(CP. EX. 1). Therefore, it would appear that the time when "everyone" knew that
Complainant Martin wasn't returning to work would have been during or after the period
of August 19-23, 1991.
30. During the course of this conversation, Mr. McIvor informed Ekholm that McIvor
was afraid that Complainant Martin's cancer would return, that she would have future
problems with her cancer. Ekholm stated, "[McIvor] was afraid that cancer might come
back on her, there would be future problems with the cancer, and I took that to be . . . the
main reason why she wasn't coming back. That's all I got out of that conversation,
because of her cancer, he wasn't going to bring her back." (Tr. at 197).
31. Mr. Ekholm has also filed a pending civil rights complaint against the Respondent,
but denies that this has influenced his testimony. (Tr. at 198-200). Of greater importance
in assessing his credibility is his lack of a clear, specific, and detailed account of the
conversation. (Tr. at 196-97). Mr. Ekholm also had some difficulty remembering other
facts, which are not material to this case, such as the fact that his six month probationary
period had not ended when he was terminated in 1992. (Tr. at 200-02). However, his
testimony seems credible because of its consistency with Complainant Martin's testimony
concerning her August 2nd conversation with Mr. McIvor.
4. The Record of Complainant's Hospitalization and Treatment, and of the Respondent's
Knowledge and Beliefs Concerning The Complainant's Treatment and Condition Support the
Finding That Complainant Martin Was Perceived As Disabled and Therefore Had A Substantial
Handicap:
32. The Complainant's absence, hospitalization, surgery, and radiation treatment for
cancer have already been described. See Findings of Fact Nos. 6-9. The Respondents'
awareness that she was absent for hospitalization and involved in such treatments is
demonstrated by documents in the personnel and sick leave files. (CP. EX. 1; R. EX. 10).
In a letter of July 18, 1991, and memorandum of August 2, 1991, Respondent McIvor
also suggested that the Complainant underwent chemotherapy, although this is not
mentioned in her testimony and is denied in her complaint. (CP. EX. 1; Notice of Hearing
). At times during her surgery and radiation treatment, Complainant Martin's ability to
speak was affected. (Vega dep. at 13; CP. EX. 1; Tr. at 28). Respondents were informed
of this, with respect to the surgery, on or about May 22, 1991 by Mr. Bandstra. (CP. EX.
1). Due to the surgery and radiation, Complainant Martin no longer has any saliva glands
and must drink water to replace the saliva whenever she talks. (Tr. at 7). At one time
prior to the end of her absence, Respondent McIvor was concerned that she would not be
able to work full-time because of "her speech problem" resulting from the treatment. (Tr.
at 354). See Conclusion of Law No. 47.
5. Neither McIvor's Failure to See or Otherwise Personally Observe Complainant's Condition
Through His Own Senses During Her Leave Prevent the Commission From Concluding That He
Perceived Her to Be Disabled:
33. It is undisputed that, from on or about the time her leave began on April 29, 1991 to
her meeting with Respondent McIvor on August 12, 1991, Respondent McIvor neither
personally viewed Complainant Martin nor had official medical reports on her condition.
(Tr. at 91-93, 98). Respondents argue that this means McIvor could not have perceived
Complainant Martin to be disabled. For reasons stated in the Conclusions of Law, this
does not prevent the Commission from finding that McIvor perceived Martin to be
disabled. See Conclusion of Law No. 14-15.
6. Neither The Treatment Given Other Employees With Cancer, All of Whom Went on Leave
After the Complaint Was Filed, Nor the Rehire of Complainant Martin Demonstrates That
McIvor Did Not Perceive Martin or Any Other Employee With Cancer As Being Disabled:
34. The evidence in the record demonstrates that two other employees, Beverly Smith
and Jacqueline Fenelon, took sick leave for cancer and did not lose their jobs. (Tr. at 125,
300-01, 359-60). Both of these sick leaves occurred in 1992. (Tr. at 359). Similarly, the
Complainant was rehired by NEIMHC on August 2, 1992. (Stip. No. 1). These events
occurred months after service of the complaint in this case on Respondents on September
26, 1991. (Stip. No. 9). While Respondents argue that these cases demonstrate that they
did not perceive individuals with cancer as being disabled, it is well recognized, as stated
in the conclusions of law, that corrective or nondiscriminatory actions taken in the face of
litigation are not persuasive evidence with respect to the practices, and, by analogy, the
perceptions, of Respondents prior to the service of the complaint. See Conclusion of Law
No. 23.
7. The Offer of Limited Part-time Employment Once Complainant Was Able to Return to Work
Does Not Demonstrate That McIvor Did Not Perceive Complainant Martin to Be Disabled:
34A. Respondents also argue that the offer of limited part-time employment to the
complainant after she was replaced in her full-time job demonstrates that she was not
perceived as disabled. (Reply Brief at 10). As set forth more fully below, there is direct
and circumstantial evidence that the Respondents did perceive Complainant Martin as
having a continuing disability involving recurring cancer. It flies in the face of logic to
require this Commission to find that an employer did not perceive as being disabled a
full-time employee on leave for cancer treatment merely because, after replacing her, it
subsequently offers her a very limited part time position without benefits. See Finding of
Fact No. 11.
B. There is Credible Direct Evidence in the Record to Show that Complainant Martin Was
Terminated From Her Former Position and Replaced Because of a Perceived Physical Disability:
1. The Greater Weight of the Evidence Demonstrates That Complainant Martin Was Terminated
From Her Former Position and Replaced By Allen Ekholm:
35. There is contradictory evidence concerning whether or not Complainant Martin was
effectively terminated from her position as substance abuse counselor on or about the
time that Allen Ekholm's acceptance of the offer for that position was received by
Respondents on July 16, 1991. See Finding of Fact No. 20.
36. On the one hand, Complainant Martin had been informed by telephone on June 5th,
and by a typed message on June 12, 1991, that, after June 24th, she would be on unpaid
leave of absence without pay, although one-half of her medical insurance premium would
be paid by NEIMHC. This was to continue until July 24th, when the situation would be
re-evaluated. (CP. EX. 1). On July 18th, McIvor sent Martin a letter indicating that he
would be on vacation from July 19th through August 1st and would meet with her on
August 12th. (CP. EX. 1). This evidence would indicate that Complainant Martin had not
lost her position, but was on a leave of absence until August 12th.
37. On the other hand, although Respondent McIvor's written offer to Ekholm of July
10th mentioned that Ekholm would be sharing an office with Complainant Martin,
McIvor knew when he sent the letter that Ekholm was replacing the Complainant. (CP.
EX. # 3; Tr. at 288, 329). Nonetheless, McIvor testified that he still hoped to offer
Complainant new employment in some capacity, depending on what hours were
available. (Tr. at 289, 291, 292-93). On August 2nd, Complainant Martin was informed
for the first time that she may not have her old job to return to and that a replacement had
been hired. On August 12th, she was informed by McIvor that she had "no job at the
current time" with Respondent NEIMHC. See Finding of Fact No. 11.
38. On brief, Respondents admit that "Kathrine Martin's position [was] being either filled
or terminated;" that "a replacement was hired for her;" and "that she lost her job." (Reply
Brief at 9, 11).
39. Based on the above facts, it is clear that Complainant Martin was terminated from her
position as substance abuse counselor on or about July 16, 1991. After that date, the
"unpaid leave" referred to in the communications to Complainant Martin was the
equivalent of a post-termination extension of the benefit of one-half the cost of medical
insurance premiums. After July 16th, Complainant Martin's employment status was, at
most, a bare possibility of an offer of employment with NEIMHC at the end of her
absence due to cancer. The extent of employment offered or whether there would be an
offer depended on what, if any, hours were available. There was an offer of part-time
employment made to the Complainant after she was informed, on August 2nd and 12th,
of the termination of her position and her replacement. See Finding of Fact No. 11.
Respondent McIvor's claim that Complainant Martin was never terminated until August
12, 1991 is simply not credible in light of the above facts. (Tr. at 320-21, 339-40).
2. The Direct Evidence Previously Noted Demonstrates That Complainant Was Replaced
Because of Her Perceived Physical Disability:
40. The statements, detailed above, made by Respondent McIvor to Complainant Martin,
Alice Scott, and Allen Ekholm constitute credible direct evidence that McIvor replaced
Complainant Martin because of a perception that there would be future recurrence of her
cancer. See Findings of Fact Nos. 22, 28, 30. This evidence is sufficient to establish a
prima facie case of perceived disability discrimination with regard to the direct evidence
method of proving discrimination. See Conclusions of Law Nos. 58.
3. It May Be Reasonably Inferred From The Evidence That the Reason Why Respondent Was
Concerned About A Recurrence of Complainant's Cancer Would Be the Future Absences and
Associated Costs Which Would Result From Such Recurrence:
41. The reason why recurrence of Complainant's cancer was of concern to McIvor may
be inferred from a second reason given to complainant for her termination and
replacement by Ekholm. At the August 12, 1991 meeting, she was told by McIvor that he
had lost a considerable amount of money due to the length of her absence and needed to
have someone come in and work full time. Therefore, he stated, he had hired Ekholm.
(Tr. at 47, 48). This factor was not mentioned during the August 2nd telephone call. (Tr.
at 47). It is undisputed that Complainant Martin's absence was due to cancer experienced
by her in 1991. (Stip. No. 3; CP. EX. # 1). It may be reasonably inferred from this second
reason, that McIvor's concern with recurrence of cancer, expressed on August 2nd, was
related to the recurrence of past absences and costs associated with Complainant Martin's
cancer. McIvor agreed that he thought that if the Complainant became ill again she would
cost NEIMHC a lot of money if she was off work. (Tr. at 317).
IV. Ruling: The Respondent's Liability Is Established Because It Has Offered No Affirmative
Defense To the Showing of Perceived Disability Discrimination Made Through the Credible
Direct Evidence of Discrimination In the Record:
42. Unlike cases based on circumstantial evidence of discrimination, the probative direct
evidence of discrimination in the record, which is sufficient to show that the discharge of
Complainant Martin was due to a perceived physical disability, places the burden on the
Respondents to prove an affirmative defense responsive to the direct evidence. Examples
of such affirmative defenses would include the bona fide occupational qualification
defense and the "mixed motive" or "same decision" defense. See Conclusions of Law No.
48, 62. Such defenses are not set forth on brief nor in Respondents' prehearing conference
form or other pleadings. (Trial Brief, Reply Brief, Prehearing Conference Form).
43. The defenses set forth by Respondent are that the direct evidence of perceived
disability discrimination is either not credible or not sufficient to show such
discrimination; that perceived disability discrimination was not involved in the decision
to terminate or replace the Complainant, and that the termination took place solely for
legitimate non-discriminatory reasons. (Trial Brief, Reply Brief, Prehearing Conference
Form). Since no affirmative defense responsive to the direct evidence of discrimination
has been offered by Respondents, they have not rebutted the direct evidence of perceived
disability discrimination. Thus, Complainant Martin and the Commission have
established the Respondents' liability for terminating or replacing her due to a perceived
physical disability.
V. Ruling in the Alternative: Complainant Also Established the Liability of the Respondents for
Perceived Disability Discrimination Under a McDonnell-Douglas Analysis:
A. Complainant Established A Prima Facie Case of Perceived Disability Discrimination Under a
McDonnell-Douglas Analysis Through Direct Evidence:
44. The direct evidence showing that Complainant Martin was perceived to be disabled
and that she was terminated due to this perceived disability, see Findings of Fact Nos. 22-
31, is also one means of establishing a prima facie case of perceived disability
discrimination with respect to a McDonnell Douglas analysis. See Findings of Fact Nos.
22-31. See Conclusions of Law Nos. 68-69.
B. Respondents' Presentation of Evidence of Legitimate Non-Discriminatory Reasons Sufficient
to Rebut the Prima Facie Case of Discrimination Under the McDonnell-Douglas Analysis:
45. To meet its burden of rebutting the prima facie case under the McDonnell-Douglas
analysis, Respondents are only required to present evidence of legitimate, non-
discriminatory reasons for their termination of Complainant Martin. The questions of
whether the evidence is believed or is a pretext for discrimination are not considered at
this point. See Conclusion of Law No. 70. Respondent presented evidence that:
(1) During the sixteen weeks Complainant Martin was absent from work through
August 12, 1991, neither she nor her doctor ever informed Mr. McIvor as to when
she could return to work, (See Finding of Fact No. 9; R. EX. 4; Tr. at 91-92, 93,
94, 260, 264, 276, 289, 293, 311, 322-23, 351);
(2) Complainant Martin had not requested from the Board of Directors a leave
beyond six weeks in length as allowed under Respondent's Center Absence
Clause in its personnel policy, (See Finding of Fact No. 19; Tr. at 83-84);
and (3) the absence of Complainant Martin caused serious financial difficulties
for NEIMHC. (R. EX. 2; Tr. at 48, 264, 267, 284, 286, 316-17).
C. The Greater Weight of the Credible Evidence Shows That These Reasons are A Pretext for
Discrimination:
46. The reasons given by Respondents for Complainant Martin's termination or
replacement are all related to her absence. Although it is undisputed that the
Complainant's total absence extended to 16 weeks by August 12th, the complainant was
terminated or replaced effective July 16, 1991. This was 11 weeks after her absence
began on April 29th. She was, however, unable to work for the full sixteen weeks. See
Findings of Fact Nos. 9, 39.
1. Under the Circumstances Set Forth Below, Respondents' Failure to Make Any Effort To
Ascertain When Complainant Martin Could Return to Work Indicates That The Complainant's
Failure to Provide a Return or Recovery Date Is A Pretext For Discrimination.
a. Respondents never made any effort prior to August 12, 1991 to obtain complainant
Martin's return to work or recovery date:
47. There was evidence produced in the record indicating that neither Complainant nor
her doctors provided a recovery or return date through August 12, 1991. See Finding of
Fact No. 45. However, at no point before August 12th did Respondents make any effort
whatsoever to request that Complainant Martin either provide such a date or a release
from her doctors which would have permitted them to communicate with the
Respondents. (Tr. at. 33-35, 37, 54-55, 73, 104, 314-16, 345). Even on those instances
where Respondent McIvor was in communication with Complainant Martin or others in
contact with her, he never requested this information. This was the case when McIvor
talked to the Complainant and her daughter on May 29, 1991; when he wrote the
Complainant on May 30, 1991; when he talked to her on June 5, 1991; when a memo was
sent to her at McIvor's direction on June 12, 1991; when a memo was sent to her from
McIvor on July 2, 1991; and when McIvor wrote to her on July 18, 1991. (CP. EX. 1; Tr.
at 33-35, 37, 54-55, 104, 345). If such information had been requested, Complainant
Martin would have provided it. (Tr. at 104).
b. Respondents rely on a personnel rule which does not require employees to provide
return to work or recovery dates:
48. Respondents argue that it was Complainant's burden to provide a recovery date on her
own initiative. (Reply Brief at 11-12). This argument is based on the provision in
Respondent's personnel policies stating, "It is the employee's responsibility to report
his/her absence due to illness as soon as possible. Unless otherwise directed, the
employee shall notify his/her immediate supervisor." Neither this nor any other sick leave
or illness provision, however, states that the employee on sick leave is required to provide
a return to work or recovery date. There is a provision, however, that permits the
Executive Director to "require evidence of professional care and treatment" in "cases of
continued . . . absence due to illness." See Finding of Fact No. 19. Also, if violation of a
personnel policy or excessive absenteeism is considered to reflect of a lack of
dependability, it is the supervisor's duty to inform the employee of the problem under the
discipline and discharge policies. See Finding of Fact No. 18. (Tr. at 334, 336).
Respondent McIvor admitted Complainant Martin had not violated personnel policy. (Tr.
at 321).
c. Complainant Martin complied with the actual requirements of the rule, i.e. to report her
absence as soon as possible:
49. There is overwhelming evidence in the record that Complainant Martin reported her
absence due to illness as soon as possible in compliance with this provision of the
personnel policy. Her time sheets are in the record for the period through May 25, 1991.
(R. EX. 10). These are submitted weekly by employees to show how their time is spent.
(R. EX. 5; Tr. at 280-81, 283,350). They show that she was off for sick and other leave
from April 25th, the date she had her first biopsy, through May 25th. The one exception
is four hours (16 units X 15 min./unit) of work and 3.5 hours of sick leave on May 7th.
(R. EX. 10; Tr. at 18, 281). Summaries of her sick leave and vacation show that they
were exhausted during the period from April 24th to noon on May 29th. (R. EX. 10).
50. As noted, Complainant Martin had taken time off for the biopsy on April 25th. (Tr. at
21-22). On May 1, 1991, when Complainant found out she had cancer, she informed
Respondent McIvor. (Tr. at 18, 21, 26). The "Sick Leave, Vacation, Educational Leave,
Personal Leave Summary" has a notation, dated May 10, 1991, signed by Jacqueline
Fenelon, assistant to executive director McIvor, (Tr. at 162), stating: "Kathy Martin to
have surgery & expects 18-20+ days for hospitalization & recuperation. After she uses
sick leave & vacation plus personal day, we are to let her know." (R. EX. 10).
51. On May 22, 1991, Ms. Fenelon prepared a memo addressed to all staff indicating that
Complainant Martin was at the Covenant Medical Center. On May 24th, a note was
prepared for her personnel folder by Ms. Fenelon indicating that John Bandstra, a
coworker and friend, had visited Complainant Martin. (CP. EX. 1; Tr. at 29, 32).
Complainant Martin relied on Bandstra to inform her employer of her condition as she
could not speak. (Tr. at 31-32). The note has a blank next to McIvor's name which is
checked off. The memo states: "Her doctor said that three week after she is discharged
from the hospital, she should be prepared for radiation therapy for 5-6 weeks. John said
the lab reports had not been returned as yet but feels the doctor is preparing Kathy for the
inevitable. The radiation treatments would be required on a regular basis for that period
of time. Kathy is feeling supported by the agency. Told John to greet her for us and keep
us informed." (CP. EX. 1).
52. On May 29th, according to a note prepared for Respondent McIvor, he had conversed
with Complainant Martin that day. She agreed to his proposal to carry all her salary and
benefits through June 24th. She also informed him that she would be leaving the hospital
by May 31st and would be in touch with him. (CP. EX. 1; Tr. at 33).
53. On May 31st, the day after Complainant Martin got out of the hospital, she called
McIvor and told him that she would need 28 days of radiation therapy to her head and
neck. She informed that she could not work during this time. McIvor's response was
"that's fine. They have a treatment plan just like we have treatment plans for the people
we see." He told her to follow through with the plan and stay in touch. (Tr. at 27).
54. Complainant Martin again conversed with McIvor about her leave on June 5th. (CP.
EX. 1). At some point prior to July 8th, she wrote Mr. McIvor and informed him that the
radiation treatment had been stopped due to side effects, but would resume on July 8th.
(CP. EX. 1).
55. A July 18, 1991 letter sent to the Complainant by McIvor reflects his awareness that
she had undergone surgery. According to a notation, dated July 22, 1991. by Ms. Fenelon
on the letter, the Complainant called and stated she hoped to return part-time before
August 12th. The notation indicates that the Complainant was told that McIvor did not
want her to return until they talked on the 12th. (CP. EX. 1). This is apparently a
reference to Complainant Martin's call on the 19th, not the 22nd. The Complainant had
received McIvor's July 18th letter, which refers to McIvor taking vacation from July 19th
to August 1st, on July 19th. (Tr. at 40). She called on the morning of the 19th in the hope
she would talk to him prior to his leaving on vacation. (Tr. at 40). She called because she
wished to tell McIvor that she thought she could come in to work on a part-time basis for
two weeks before August 12th. (Tr. at 40-41). He had already left, however, and she
talked to Ms. Fenelon. (Tr. at 41). She again called the office and talked to Ms.. Fenelon
on July 22nd about insurance matters, which are also mentioned in the notation. (CP. EX.
1; Tr. at 43). McIvor was aware of the contents of this notation. (Tr. at 294).
56. Her next conversation with Respondent McIvor was on August 2nd. See Findings of
Fact Nos. 22-23, 25-27. At no point during the course of her 1990-91 employment with
Respondents was failure to comply with this rule given as a reason for Complainant's
termination or replacement or was she told that she was not keeping Respondents
sufficiently informed of her treatment or that she was violating any personnel policy.
(CP. EX. 1; Tr. at 54-55, 73, 345).
d. In the course of complying with the rule, the Complainant gave the Respondents
accurate estimates as to when her treatment would end:
57. While reporting to the Respondents and updating them about her absence,
Complainant Martin also provided Respondents with estimated times as to the length of
the different stages of her treatment and of her overall treatment. These are highlighted
above. See Findings of Fact Nos. 50-55. At one point in his testimony, Respondent
McIvor was asked to confirm that "[n]o one ever told you how many weeks she
[Complainant Martin] had to be off work; is that right?" He replied, "She sent me a letter
saying that she'd be off a certain amount of time." (Tr. at 323). It is not clear in the record
exactly which correspondence this refers to.
58. Respondent McIvor admitted that he had been informed by Complainant Martin on
May 10th that she would require 18 to 20 days hospitalization and recuperation. He also
admitted that he had been informed by Bandstra, as indicated by the note of May 24 that
the doctor had indicated that, three weeks after discharge from the hospital, Complainant
Martin would require 5 to 6 weeks of radiation therapy. (Tr. at 325-27). Twenty days
after May 10th is May 30th, which corresponds to Complainant's actual date of hospital
discharge, of which McIvor was informed. See Findings of Fact Nos.52. 53. Nine weeks
(3 weeks + 6 weeks) after May 30th is August 1st. Complainant's radiation treatments
actually ended on July 30th, two days prior to August 1st. See Finding of Fact No. 9.
f. Respondent McIvor admits that, if he had known when Complainant Martin would be
able to return, he would not have replaced her with Allen Ekholm:
59. Respondent McIvor admitted that if he known, especially before July 10th, when
Complainant Martin would be able to return, he would not have replaced her with Al
Ekholm. (Tr. at 351). He also acknowledged that, on August 12, 1991, Complainant
Martin would be a more productive employee than Allen Ekholm. (Tr. at 355-56).
g. Summary: The Respondents' reason that Complainant was terminated or replaced
because of her failure to provide a date for her return to work or expected recovery is a
pretext for discrimination:
60. There are a number of factors which indicate this reason is not worthy of credence.
First, the Respondents were aware that Complainant Martin would be a more productive
employee than Mr. Ekholm. Second, they were also aware, prior to July 10th, that her
treatment was expected to end by August 1, 1995. Ekholm did not begin work until
August 5th. Respondents claimed that if they knew Complainant Martin would have been
available for work when she was, they would not have hired Ekholm. Third, the
personnel rule, which Respondents argue required the Complainant to provide a return to
work date on her own initiative, in fact required only that she report her absence due to
illness as soon as possible. Fourth, Complainant not only complied with the rule, but
provided continuous updates on her treatment. Fifth, an employer whose concern was the
cost and length of Complainant's present absence, and not anticipated future recurrences
of the cancer, and who was aware her treatment was ending on August 1st, would have
made an effort to ascertain when the Complainant would be able to return to work before
hiring a new, less productive employee who would start on August 5th. In this case,
however, Respondents made no such effort. Sixth, the direct evidence of perceived
disability discrimination indicates that the true motivation for the termination of
complainant was her perceived disability and not a failure to provide an anticipated return
to work date.
2. Under the Circumstances Set Forth Below, the Respondent's Reason that Complainant Martin
Was Terminated or Replaced Because of Her Failure to Request Approval From the Board of
Directors of a Leave Beyond Six weeks in Length, as Allowed Under Respondent's Personnel
Policy, Is a Pretext for Discrimination:
61. Respondents argue that Complainant was terminated or replaced for a legitimate
reason because she failed to follow a personnel policy (the Center Absence Clause)
which "required that she could not be absent from work longer than six consecutive
weeks unless approved by the Board of Directors." (Reply Brief at 12). This is a
reasonable construction of the Center Absence Clause. See Finding of Fact No. 19.
Nonetheless, it was Respondent McIvor, who, on his own initiative, relied upon another
provision of the sick leave policy as authority to offer the Complainant an extended paid
leave beyond her usual sick leave through June 24th. See Findings of Fact Nos. 10, 19.
(CP. EX. 1, 6; Tr. at 84, 99-100, 166-68, 169-70, 276-77, 332, 339). As indicated by a
note in her personnel file, he informed her on June 5th that she would be on unpaid leave
of absence beyond June 24th, which would be reevaluated on July 24th. This is also
confirmed by a written message sent to the Complainant by Ms. Fenelon dated June 12th.
(CP. EX. 1). At hearing, it was McIvor's position that Complainant was on an unpaid
leave of absence through August 12, 1991. (Tr. at 320-21). Based on the sick leave and
personnel records, her leave had extended to beyond six weeks before June 24th. (CP.
EX. 1; R. EX. 10)
62. It makes no sense to require or expect Complainant Martin to apply for an extended
leave when she was already informed by her employer that she had such a leave. Why
would the Complainant be expected to challenge the employer's application of its own
leave policies under these conditions? If there was a misinterpretation or misapplication
of the leave policies, the record shows it was committed by the Respondents, not the
Complainant. Respondent McIvor admitted Complainant Martin had not violated
personnel policy. (Tr. at 321). In addition, although there is evidence (a) of the content of
the Center Absence Clause, see Finding of Fact No. 19, and (b) that Complainant Martin
never applied to the Board of Directors for leave under the Clause (Tr. at 83-84), there is
no evidence in the record that her failure to apply for such leave played any role in
Respondents' decision to terminate or replace her. Respondents never informed her that
failure to apply to the Board for such leave was a reason for her termination. (Tr. at 105).
In light of these facts, and the direct evidence of perceived disability discrimination in the
record, this is a pretextuous reason for the termination of Complainant Martin.
3. Under the Circumstances Set Forth Below, the Financial Difficulties Allegedly Caused By the
Absence of Complainant Martin for Respondent NEIMHC Are Pretexts For Discrimination:.
a. Respondents' argument:
63. Respondents argued that the absence of Complainant Martin "caused serious financial
difficulties for her employer." (Reply Brief at 12). As previously noted, Complainant
Martin was informed by Respondent McIvor on August 12, 1991 that the loss of money
due to the length of her absence was a factor in his hiring Ekholm as a replacement. See
Finding of Fact No. 41.
b. Funding of the substance abuse program is dependent on billing for client counseling:
64. Complainant Martin's position was part of the substance abuse program. See Finding
of Fact No. 5. The substance abuse program is funded through a contract from the Iowa
Department of Public Health and from fees collected from individuals or their insurance
companies. (R. EX. 20; Tr. at 219, 221). It is a patient driven, revenue producing system.
(Tr.at 221). The state sets an allotment of a total lump sum for the program at Respondent
NEIMHC. It also determines group counseling and individual rates. (Tr. at 219). The
basic method of "drawing down" this allotment is to counsel clients and submit expenses
to the state at a hourly unit rate for each individual counseled. (Tr. at 219). Thus, in order
to receive revenues from the Department, it is necessary for counselors to see patients
each month and to submit hours and billings to the Department. (Tr. at 220, 285).
c. Amount and methods of computation of claimed losses:
65. The Respondents claim that the absence of Complainant Miller cost NEIMHC
$32,519.80 in revenue over a four month period from May to August of 1991. (R. EX. 2;
Tr. at 316-17). This is an amount over $7,000 higher than the amount of losses McIvor
stated to the Complainant in 1991. She found even that amount hard to believe. (Tr. at
96-97).
66. The Respondents claimed an estimated loss of $27,519,80 based on a comparison of
the revenue produced by the full staff at the Oelwein office, including Complainant
Martin, during the period of January through April of 1991 ($69,654.00) to the amount of
revenues produced by the Oelwein staff minus the revenues produced by (a) Dave Hans
and the Decorah staff while they were covering for the Complainant and (b) new hire
Allen Ekholm during the period of May through August 1991 ($42,134.80). (R. EX. 2).
67. Respondents added another $5,000.00 to the above losses to compensate for the
revenue lost at the Decorah office while the Decorah staff was covering for Martin in
Oelwein. (R. EX. 2). It is unexplained in the record how this $5000.00 estimate was
computed.
d. Deduction of revenues earned by Decorah staff in Oelwein is not justified:
68. This methodology overstates the losses of the Respondents. The only justification that
there might be for not including the revenues earned by the Decorah staff in Oelwein
would be that the amount they earned there approximates the amount they might have
earned in Decorah. However, Respondents add an estimated $5000.00 in losses for
precisely this reason. Rationally, only the $5000.00, if that is a reasonable estimate,
should be included in the losses while the amount earned by the Decorah staff is added
back in to Oelwein revenues.
e. Deduction of revenues earned by Hans in Oelwein is not justified:
69. There is no reason to deduct the Oelwein revenues earned by David Hans as he was
not part of the Decorah staff, but was hired "to provide group service in Kathy's absence."
(R. EX. 2). It should be noted that these figures deal only with revenues and do not take
into account either the salary of Hans, the salary expense for Complainant Martin through
June 24th, or the salary savings for the unpaid leave for Martin after June 24th. (R. EX.
2).
f. Deduction of revenues earned by Ekholm in Oelwein is not justified:
70. Similarly, there is no reason to deduct the Oelwein revenues earned by Allen Ekholm,
who was hired to replace the Complainant in Oelwein.
g. Revised estimate of losses:
71. Once the Oelwein revenues of the Decorah staff, Hans, and Ekhom are added back in
to revenues, the total Oelwein revenues for the four month period from May to August
1991 are increased from $42,134.80 to $53,054.80. This reduces the revenue losses in
Oelwein by $10,920.00. The total losses, therefore, including the $5,000 estimated loss in
Decorah, would be $21,599.80, not $32,519,80.
h. None of the estimated losses take into account any factor for the losses other than
Complainant's absence from May to August 1991:
72. The losses represented above are all based on the assumption that they were caused
solely by Complainant's absence. They do not take into account, for example, the impact
of staff vacations during the summer. Respondent McIvor has been Executive Director of
NEIMHC since 1967. See Finding of Fact No. 16. On June 5, 1990, he made application
to the Iowa Department of Public Health "for a cash advance of $40,000 against our
1990-91 contract." (R. EX. 20). The cash advance was requested because of financial
difficulties. In the letter, McIvor noted, "We have never been able to draw down
sufficient dollars in July and August of each year to meet our expenses because of staff
vacations." (R. EX. 20). This factor is not accounted for by Respondents. (R. EX. 2).
73. The statistics provided by the Respondents also show fluctuations in revenues from
month to month at the Oelwein office which are unexplained in the record. For example,
revenues at the Oelwein office increased from $15,184.60 in March of 1991 to
$21,658.00 in April of 1991. Revenues decreased from $18,071.03 in October of 1991 to
$14,918.00 in November of 1991. (R. EX. 2). It is not known whether or not the causes
of these fluctuations could account for all or part of the change in revenues from the first
third of 1991 to the second third.
i. None of the revenue losses incurred through August 5, 1991 were avoided by
terminating Complainant Martin and replacing her with Allen Ekholm:
74. Complainant Martin was terminated and replaced by Allen Ekholm on July 16, 1991.
See Finding of Fact No. 20, 35-39. When Respondents extended the offer to him on July
10th, they did so with the understanding that he would not begin work until August 5,
1991. (CP. EX. 3). Therefore, none of the losses incurred due to Complainant's absence
through July 16th were avoided by the hire of Ekholm or the termination and replacement
of the Complainant. The same is true for all losses through August 5th which were
incurred due to absence of a substance abuse counselor in the Oelwein office. Allen
Ekholm began his employment two weeks earlier than the Complainant could have if she
had been retained. See Findings of Fact Nos. 9, 20. Therefore, the only losses which may
have been avoided by the hiring of Ekholm were the ones which would have been
incurred during those two weeks. Given her higher productivity, see Finding of Fact No.
59, and Respondent McIvor's estimate that Ekholm was working only 40% of the time,
(Tr. at 322), it is likely that the revenues the Complainant generated would soon have
exceeded those of Ekholm.
j. Respondent McIvor's admission that he would not have hired Ekholm if he had known
Complainant Martin would be able to return by August 19th demonstrates that the
revenue losses incurred through that date would not have led to her termination if he had
made inquiry about her return date:
75. Respondent McIvor's admission that he would not have hired Ekholm if he knew that
the Complainant would return when she did demonstrates that, if he had such knowledge,
he would not have terminated the Complainant despite revenue losses. See Finding of
Fact No. 59. This brings us back to the ultimate question of motivation. If Respondents'
only concern was the length and cost of Complainant's current absence, and not future
absences, Respondent would have made inquiry as to her expected date of return. The
accurate information Complainant provided as to the length of her treatment and her
willingness to obtain a return date indicate that such inquiry would have been successful.
The failure to make such inquiry, and the direct evidence in the record, lead to the
conclusion that perceived disability discrimination was the true motivation behind
Respondents' termination and replacement of Complainant Martin.
75A. Even if there were no evidence undermining this rationale for Complainant Martin's
discharge and replacement, the finding that the two previous reasons were pretexts
sufficiently damages the Respondents' credibility so as to support a finding that this
reason is also a pretext. In addition, the weaknesses, inconsistencies and implausibilities
concerning this reason supports such a finding. See Conclusion of Law No. 74.
4. Other Circumstances Indicating That Respondent's Reasons for Terminating and Replacing
Complainant Martin are Pretexts for Discrimination:
76. There are other respects in which the termination of Complainant Martin is so at
variance with Respondent's policies as to suggest that concerns other than the costs
associated with Complainant's absence from April 25th through July 16th of 1991 were
involved in the decision. The policy manual provides, at page 20, that "[P]rofessional
staff receive at least one (1) month's notice in writing before discharge or termination of
service. If discharge is effective immediately, the employee receives one (1) month's
salary." (CP. EX. 6). Complainant Martin received neither one month's notice nor pay.
(R. EX. 9; CP. EX. 1). See Findings of Fact Nos. 11, 39.
77. The policy manual also provides, at page 28, for a grievance procedure where
grievances may progress from the Executive Director, to the Personnel Committee of the
Board, to the full Board of Directors. A similar termination grievance procedure is
provided at page 19. (CP. EX. 6). Complainant Martin asked Respondent McIvor if she
could contest her being given the choice of part-time, disability, or termination with the
Board of Directors He indicated that she had no rights; that the Board did not know what
had been done, and that it made no difference if they did. This effectively discouraged
Complainant Martin from filing any grievance. (Tr. at 49, 111-12).
78. On August 2, 1991, Allen Ekholm has not yet begun his employment. See Finding of
Fact No. 20. Ekholm is a probationary employee who Respondent McIvor has no reason
to believe is sick or disabled. (CP. EX. 3; 6; Tr. at 320, 321, 356). Under the rules he can
be terminated "for any cause deemed worthy by the Executive Director. The grievance
process is not available to employees on probation." (CP. EX. 6). See Finding of Fact No.
17. McIvor believes he has the "sole discretion" to retain or discharge Ekholm. (Tr. at
319-20). Complainant Martin has just informed Respondents of her readiness to return
from her leave for cancer treatment. See Finding of Fact No. 11. (If Respondent McIvor's
version of the facts were believed, she is on leave and not yet terminated). (Tr. at 320-
21). She is a nonprobationary employee, who can only be discharged for "justifiable
reasons," and has grievance rights. See Findings of Facts Nos. 5, 17-18. Respondent
McIvor considers her to be the more productive of the two employees. (Tr. at 355, 356).
79. McIvor is now faced with a choice as there are two employees who want the same
position. (Tr. at 317-18). Despite the Complainant's nonprobationary status and her
higher productivity, Respondent McIvor never even thinks of terminating Ekholm and
returning the Complainant to her position. (Tr. at 336).
D. Finding of Discrimination:
80. In light of the above circumstantial and direct evidence of discrimination,
Complainant Martin has established by a preponderance of the evidence that she was
terminated and replaced due to a perceived physical disability.
VI. Remedies:
A. Backpay and Benefits:
81. The parties stipulated to the following facts:
5. As of April 24, 1991, Complainant was paid $21,000.00 per year.
6. While off work, Complainant received $10,800.00 in unemployment
compensation.
Stipulations Nos. 5-6.
1. Backpay:
82. According to an Application for Funding for the fiscal year July 1, 1991 to June 30,
1992, Complainant Martin was to receive a salary of $22,250.00 for that period. (R. EX.
20). The accuracy of this application was certified by Respondent McIvor on March 1,
1991 and by the Chairperson of the NEIMHC Board of Directors on April 2, 1991. This
document is attached to a Contract Award from the Iowa Department of Public Health.
(R. EX. 20). Given this certification, this figure is probably a more accurate indication of
the increase Complainant Martin would have received, if she had not gone on leave, than
the handwritten note on her evaluation. The March 1991 evaluation indicates a raise to
$22,050.00 (CP. EX. 1; R. EX. 20; Tr. at 61-62).
83. Complainant Martin received her first salary increase, from $19,000.00 per year to
$21,000.00 per year, six months after her hire on March 12, 1990. (R. EX. 9).
84. Complainant Martin was rehired on August 25, 1992 at the rate of $21,000.00 per
year. Six months later, on February 25, 1993, her annual salary was increased to
$21,800.00. Nine months after that, on November 24, 1993, her annual salary was
increased to $22,454.00. This is her last salary raise reflected in the record. (R. EX. 9).
85. The evidence does not indicate what the date or amount of Complainant's next salary
raise after June 30, 1992 would have been if she had not been terminated. Therefore, her
front pay should end when her annual salary exceeds $22,250.00. This would be on
November 24, 1993. (R. EX. 9).
86. Complainant's back pay for the period from August 19, 1991 to November 24, 1993
is computed as follows:
(a). Gross back pay prior to the deduction of unemployment insurance and interim
earnings: = (Gross annual salary earnings for the two year period of August 19, 1991 to
August 19, 1993) + (Gross annual salary earnings for the 14 week period from August
19, 1993 to November 24, 1993) = (2 years X $22,250.00 annual salary) + (14 weeks X
$427.88 per week) = ($44500.00 + $5990.32) = $50490.32.
(b). Unemployment Insurance and Interim Earnings = [($10,800.00 U.I.) + (annual salary
earnings for the 26 week period from 8/25/92 to 2/25/93) + (annual salary earnings for
the 39 week period from 2/26/93 to 11/24/93)] = [($10,800.00) + (26 weeks X
$403.85/wk) + (39 weeks X $419.23/wk)] = [$10,800.00 + $10,500.10 + $16349.97] =
$37650.07.
(c). Complainant's Total Back Pay After Deduction of Unemployment Insurance and
Interim Earnings: = (a) - (b) = $50490.32 - $37650.07 = $12,840.25.
2. Benefits: Retirement Plan:
87. Complainant participated in the NEIMHC retirement plan wherein NEIMHC
contributed an amount equal to 10 per cent of her salary. (CP. EX. 6; Tr. at 65). She
should be compensated for the contributions not made while she was unemployed and for
reduced contributions made while she was employed at a lower salary than she would
have had if she had never been terminated. This is an amount equal to ten percent of the
backpay or $1,284.03.
3. Benefits: Health Insurance Premiums:
88. Complainant Martin is due a total of $2289.58 for health insurance premiums paid by
her which would have been paid by Respondent NEIMHC if she had not been terminated.
(Tr. at 64, 68).
4. Benefits: Education Reimbursement Program:
89. "While employed, Complainant was allowed $500.00 per year to spend towards
professional education and development." (Stip. No. 7). In 1992, Complainant Martin
attended such a conference. She should be reimbursed for her expenses of $420.00. (Tr.
at 68-69).
5. Seniority, Vacation, and Sick Leave Benefits:
90. Complainant's seniority should be restored. Her personnel records will indicate that
Complainant's hire date is March 12, 1990. Complainant shall receive one additional day
of personal leave, 15 days of accured vacation leave, and 12 days of accrued sick leave or
permanent disability leave (up to the limits indicated in the personnel policy) to reflect
the year (8/91-8/92) she was off work. (CP. EX. 6). Her vacation shall accrue under the
personnel policy as if she had been continuously employed since March 12, 1990.
B. Emotional Distress:
91. There is no doubt, based on this record, that Complainant Kathrine Martin suffered
serious and substantial emotional distress due to her termination and replacement by
Respondents. Her testimony of distress is supported not only by her adult son and
daughter, a mental health professional, but by Respondent McIvor. (CP. EX. 1; Tr. at 47,
56-57, 69-70, 133-37, 152-159).
92. When Complainant Martin was told in the telephone call, on August 2, 1991, that she
had been replaced, she was hit with feelings of sadness, as if she had done something
wrong. After having successfully gone through the surgery and radiation treatment for
cancer, she felt defeated by this event. (Tr. at 47, 69-70). Her job was important to her.
(Tr. at 70). She felt that McIvor's comment about cancer returning in two months or two
years wasn't fair. "We had just talked about my prognosis, my recovery, how well this
had gone and the fact that I could talk again. And then it was like he dropped this on me
and I felt real bad about it." (Tr. at 47).
93. In order to help her cope with her job loss, Dr. Vega, her radiation oncologist,
recommended that Martin do volunteer work because, "no matter how you're feeling, it
isn't good for your recovery to keep feeling bad." (Vega dep. at 3; Tr. at 56). She
followed up on this advice by volunteering to do counseling for such organizations as
Goodwill, Parent Share & Support, or the Family Center. (Tr. at 57, 136). She also tried
to stay busy doing such tasks as yard and lawn work or walking for exercise. (Tr. at 136).
These tasks were undertaken because not working had an adverse emotional impact on
her. (Tr. at 136-37).
94. In Respondent McIvor's notes concerning the telephone call of August 2, 1991, he
stated:
Kathy Martin contacted me by phone . . . and wondered when she would
start back to work. I informed her that I didn't quite know because there is
no business. She felt that there would be a job available for her. She felt
very hurt and rejected as well as angry because she is worried about her
employment and medical costs. She feels she is ready for work and has
completed her chemotherapy. I told her we would meet on August 12 and
discuss it further.
(CP. EX. 1).
95. McIvor also stated in his notes of their August 12, 1991 conversation that
Complainant Martin was "very disappointed that her job was not available to her after her
recovery from cancer;" that she found her treatment to be "unfair," and "was not very
satisfied and wonders if this the policy of the agency to dismiss people who are suffering
from cancer." (CP. EX. 1).
96. On April 21, 1992, eight months after she was told she was replaced, McIvor talked
to her about her application for the second counselor position there. He noted that "[s]he
still feels a little angry and bitter that she was treated unfairly." (R. EX. 7). Her feelings
were serious enough that he decided to offer her the new position only as a probationary
employee because he wondered if she could to the work without feeling negative about
the place. (Tr. at 309-10).
A year before, in March of 1991, he had evaluated her as an employee "who gets along
well with other staff members at the Oelwein office. . . . conduct[ed] her practice in a
professional, independent, and ethical manner. . . . is usually polite and conducts herself
in a professional manner. . . .has been able to function quite well independently." (CP.
EX 1).
97. The Complainant's son, Steve Martin, moved back to Oelwein in the spring of 1991.
He saw her every day after she was diagnosed with cancer. Her number one goal in that
time was to get back to work following her treatments. (Tr. at 133).
98. Throughout the rigors of Kathrine Martin's cancer treatment, her son noted she had a
good attitude despite the pain resulting from the radiation treatments. She was working
toward her goal of getting back to work. (Tr. at 134). Then, in August, he noticed a
change: "After . . . the phone call and the conference, you could tell it just took a little bit
of air out of her, so to speak . . . because now she couldn't go back to work.. . . . [I]t was
out of reach for her . . . and she didn't like that at all." (Tr. at 134-35). His mother had
been financially independent and she found it difficult to go on unemployment insurance
given her strong work ethic and her enjoyment of her job. He is certain that the decision
to terminate and replace the Complainant had a "very detrimental" emotional effect on
her. (Tr. at 135). He observed that it still affected her as of the date of the hearing. (Tr. at
136).
99. Laura Martin, the Complainant's daughter, is a mental health counselor with the
chronic mentally ill. (Tr. at 153, 154). In June of 1991, Laura came home an average of
once a week. Every other weekend, she had a three day weekend and would visit home
then. She then moved in with her mother from the end of August 1991 until October 31,
1991. (Tr. at 153-54). In July and August of 1991, she came home every other day and
also every other weekend. (Tr. at 154).
100. Laura observed that her mother dealt with the cancer in a positive fashion. She
underwent surgery and an aggressive radiation treatment soon after the diagnosis was
made. (Tr. at 155). Despite the difficulties, she was as positive as possible until August of
1991. Returning to work was the most important goal for her. (Tr. at 155). She missed the
contact with clients and enjoyed her work. (Tr. at 156).
101. Laura also observed the effect that losing her job had on her mother. Complainant
Martin became depressed. "I don't think 'sad' does it just cause. She was tearful at times.
It was a sock to her self-esteem. She put so much identity in her work that, when she was
told she wouldn't be able to return, her self-esteem or self-worth was just shot." (Tr. at
156). Due to her success with the cancer, her mother had been "on an upbeat" before
being informed she no longer had a job in August 1991. (Tr. at 156-57). Although the
Complainant was determined to get a job, "at times it was difficult because she was
having these emotions that she was being punished for something she didn't have control
of." (Tr. at 157). These emotions still affect her. (Tr. at 158). The complainant had
feelings "where its her fault of getting cancer. [T]hroughout the years, I've seen her
struggle with her self-esteem and trying to rebuild it, and that doesn't happen overnight."
(Tr. at 158). The complainant is still working on this process. (Tr. at 158).
102. Given the duration and severity of Complainant Martin's emotional distress due to
discrimination, an award of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00) in emotional distress
damages would be full, reasonable and appropriate compensation.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
I. Jurisdiction and Procedure:
A. Timeliness and Other Statutory Prerequisites:
1. All the statutory prerequisites for hearing have been met, i.e. timely filing,
investigation, finding of probable cause, attempted conciliation, and issuance of Notice of
Hearing. Iowa Code S 601A.15 (now 216.15). See Findings of Fact Nos. 1, 3-4..
B. Subject Matter Jurisdiction:
2. Subject matter jurisdiction ordinarily means the authority of a tribunal to hear and
determine cases of the general class to which the proceedings in question belong.
Tombergs v. City of Eldridge, 433 N.W.2d 731, 733 (Iowa 1988). Ms. Martin's complaint
is within the subject matter jurisdiction of the Commission as the allegation that the
Respondents discharged her because of her perceived disability falls within the statutory
prohibition against unfair employment practices which the Commission has the power to
hear and determine. Iowa Code SS 601A.6, .15 (now SS 216.6, .15). See Conclusions of
Law Nos. 5-12.
II. Stipulations:
3. There are stipulations of fact in this case. A "stipulation" is a "voluntary agreement
between opposing counsel concerning disposition of some relevant point so as to obviate
[the] need for proof." BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY 1269 (5th ed. 1979). Stipulations
as to fact are binding on a court, commission or other adjudicative body when, as in this
case, there is an absence of proof that the stipulation was the result of fraud, wrongdoing,
misrepresentation or was not in accord with the intent of the parties. In Re Clark's Estate,
131 N.W.2d 138, 142 (Iowa 1970); Burnett v. Poage, 239 Iowa 31, 38, 29 N.W.2d 431
(1948).
III. The Persuasive Value of Opinions From Other Jurisdictions Should Be Determined In Light
of Requirements For Liberal Construction and Interpretation of the Statute and Rules In Order to
Effectuate Their Purpose:
4. In determining the persuasive effect of legal authorities cited by the parties, the
following principles were applied:
a.. Federal court decisions applying Federal anti-discrimination laws are not controlling
or governing authority in cases arising under the Iowa Civil Rights Act. E.g. Franklin
Manufacturing Co. v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 270 N.W.2d 829, 831 (Iowa 1978).
Nonetheless, they are often relied on as persuasive authority in these cases. E.g. Iowa
State Fairgrounds Security v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 322 N.W.2d 293, 296
(Iowa 1982). Although even decisions of the United States Supreme Court have been
rejected as persuasive authority when their reasoning is inconsistent with the broad
remedial purposes of the Act, Franklin Manufacturing Co. v. Iowa Civil Rights
Commission, 270 N.W.2d at 831; Quaker Oats Company v. Cedar Rapids Human Rights
Commission, 268 N.W.2d 862, 866-67 (Iowa 1978), its opinions are often entitled to
great deference. Quaker Oats Company v. Cedar Rapids Human Rights Commission at
866.
b. In determining the persuasive value of any Federal decision, or decision of another
state, or other legal authority, it must be borne in mind that the Act is a "manifestation of
a massive national drive to right wrongs prevailing in our social and economic structures
of our country," Iron Workers Local No. 67 v.Hart, 191 N.W.2d 758, 765 (Iowa 1971).
c. Decisions from other jurisdictions should be rejected as persuasive authority when
violative of the controlling authority requiring liberal interpretation and construction of
the Iowa Civil Rights Act. When determining the sense and meaning of the written text of
a statute providing regulations conducive to public good or welfare, the statute is liberally
interpreted. State ex. rel. Turner v. Koscot Interplanetary, Inc., 191 N.W.2d 624, 629
(Iowa 1971). When determining the legal effect of its provisions, the Iowa Civil Rights
Act "shall be broadly construed to effectuate its purposes," Iowa Code S 601A.18 (1991),
and "liberally construed with a view to promote its objects and assist the parties in
obtaining justice." Iowa Code S 4.2. "Logic requires that this principle of construction
also be applied to [the Commission's] administrative rules." Foods Inc. v. Iowa Civil
Rights Commission, 318 N.W.2d 162, 167 (Iowa 1982). "In construing a statute, the
court must look to the object to be accomplished, the evils and mischief sought to be
remedied, or the purpose to be subserved, and place on it a reasonable or liberal
construction which will best effect its purpose rather than one which will defeat it."
Monroe Community School District v. Marion County Board of Education, 251 Iowa
992, 998, 103 N.W.2d 746 (1960); Franklin Manufacturing Co. v. Iowa Civil Rights
Commission, 270 N.W.2d 829, 832 (Iowa 1978). Therefore, constructions of the statute
or rules which "effectively defeat the remedial purpose of Chapter 601A [the Iowa Civil
Rights Act]" should be rejected. See Foods, Inc. v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 318
N.W.2d 162, 167 (Iowa 1982).
IV. The Complainant Is "Disabled" Under the Iowa Civil Rights Act:
A. The Commission Did Not Exceed Its Statutory Authority in Enacting Rules Concerning
"Perceived Disability":
5. For any claim of disability discrimination to be given effect under Iowa law, it must be
shown that the Complainant falls within the protected class of the "disabled". Falczynski
v. Amoco Oil Co., 533 N.W.2d 226, 231 (Iowa 1995). Therefore, issues which are
concerned with what constitutes a "disability" under Iowa law and whether Complainant
Martin falls within that category shall be considered first.
6. The Respondents argue that the Commission exceeded its statutory authority in
enacting rules which attempt "to extend the statutory definition to include someone
regarded as having such an impairment[;] to include rules involving perceived as
constituting such a limitation[;] or perceived as having such an impairment." (Reply Brief
at 3). If the Respondents are correct, the case ends here, since the Complainant and
Commission acknowledge that the Complainant's case is based on these Commission
rules. (Complainant's Brief at 2; Commission's Brief at 9). The complaint itself refers to
"perceived physical disability." (Notice of Hearing).
7. The pertinent statutory provisions state:
"Disability" means the physical or mental condition of a person which
constitutes a substantial handicap, and the condition of a person with a
positive human immunodeficiency virus test result, a diagnosis of acquired
immune deficiency syndrome, a diagnosis of acquired immune deficiency
syndrome-related complex, or any other condition related to acquired
immune deficiency syndrome. The inclusion of a condition related to a
positive human immunodeficiency virus test result in the meaning of
"disability" under the provisions of this chapter does not preclude the
application of the provisions of this chapter to conditions resulting from
other contagious or infectious diseases.
Iowa Code S 601A.2(4) (1991)(emphasis added).
8. The pertinent rule provisions state:
8.26(1) The term "substantially handicapped person" shall mean any
person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits
one or more major life activities; has a record of such impairment; or is
regarded as having such an impairment.
8.26(2) The term "physical or mental impairment" means:
a. Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or
anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems:
neurological; musculoskeletal; special sense organs; respiratory, including
speech organs; cardiovascular; reproductive; digestive; genito-urinary;
hemic and lymphatic; skin; and endocrine;
. . .
8.26(3) The term "major life activities" means functions such as caring for
one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking,
breathing, learning, and working.
. . .
8.26(5) The term "is regarded as having an impairment" means:
a. Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit
major life activities but that is perceived as constituting such a limitation;
b. Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life
activities only as a result of attitudes of others toward such impairment; or
c. Has none of the impairments defined to be "physical or mental
impairments," but is perceived as having such an impairment.
161 IAC 8.26 (formerly 240 IAC 6.1)(emphasis added).
9. In 1987, the Iowa Supreme Court first recognized that a complainant who is either
actually disabled or who is perceived by the employer to be disabled is "disabled" as that
term is used with respect to the Act's prohibitions against disability discrimination in
employment. See Frank v. American Freight Systems, Inc., 398 N.W.2d 797, 800 (Iowa
1987)(citing Iowa Code S 601A.6). In making the determination that those perceived by
the employer to be disabled are covered by the Act, the Court relied upon the same rules
cited by the Complainant and the Commission in this case. See id. at 799, 800 (quoting
and citing 240 IAC 6.1). Although these rules have since been renumbered, their content
has not changed. Compare 240 IAC 6.1 et. seq.(1987) with 161 IAC 8.26 (1991) et. seq.
See Annear v. State, 454 N.W.2d 869, 875 n.6 (Iowa 1990). The Court emphasized the
word "perceived" in the subsection dealing with perceived impairments. See Frank v.
American Freight Systems, Inc., 398 N.W.2d 797, 799 (Iowa 1987)(quoting 240 IAC
6.1(5)(c)(now 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c)). The Court relied upon these rules in determining that
"[the plaintiff] is 'disabled' as that term is used in Iowa Code section 601A.6". See id. at
799-800.
10. The Court had previously applied rule 240 IAC 6.1(5)(c)(now 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c)) in
Sommers v. Iowa Civil Rights Comm., 337 N.W.2d 470, 477 (Iowa 1983). The
Commission had rejected the claim of a transsexual that she was perceived to be disabled.
Id. at 475, 477. In affirming the Commission's action, the Court held "[a]n adverse
societal attitude does not mean that the transsexual is necessarily perceived as having a
physical or mental impairment. . . . [The] discrimination [is] based on societal beliefs that
the transsexual is undesirable, rather than beliefs that the transsexual is impaired
physically or mentally as that term is used in the statute and defined in the rule." Id. at
477. While the validity of the rule was not decided, the Commission's interpretation of its
rules "was not contrary to the statute or rule nor arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable." Id.
at 476.
11. In Brown v. Hy-Vee, 407 N.W.2d 598 (Iowa 1987), the Court held the plaintiff did
not fall within this rule because "[n]either [the plaintiff] nor his employer perceived or
regarded the [plaintiff's back] injury as a substantial handicap." Id. at 600.
12. In 1990, the Court specifically addressed the question of whether paragraph (5)(c) of
the rules, dealing with perceived disability, was beyond the authority granted by the
statute. Annear v. State, 454 N.W.2d 869, 875 (Iowa 1990)(construing 240 IAC
6.1(5)(c)(now 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c)). The complainant argued that "the real reason for not
hiring him was a perceived physical disability. He presents his claim as one in which the
[employer's] representatives in the hiring process incorrectly believed that the disability
[a back injury] which caused his separation from employment [with the same employer]
in 1981 continued to exist in March of 1982 [when the employer failed to hire him]." Id.
at 874. The employer denied that disability had anything to do with the failure to hire
complainant. Id. It proffered legitimate reasons for its action which had nothing to do
with disability. Id. There were no facts to support complainant's claim. Id. at 875. The
court held the rule was within the statutory authority of the Commission as long as
application of the rule was limited in certain respects:
The issue thus becomes whether, if the State did not hire plaintiff because
it believed he was physically unable to do the work and was wrong in that
assessment, this error of judgment would constitute and unlawful
discrimination in hiring under section 601A.6(1)(a). We believe it does
not. To literally apply the language of subparagraph c to this set of facts
would extend the scope of an employment discrimination claim beyond
the breadth of the statute by which such claims have been created. Agency
action in promulgating a rule may not exceed its statutory authority.
Sommers v. Iowa Civil Rights Comm'n., 337 N.W.2d 470, 475 (Iowa
1983).
In order for the definition contained in subparagraph c of these regulations
to be given effect under the act, it must be limited to situations involving a
categorical organic disorder of the body. Cf. Sommers, 337 N.W.2d at
476. The definition may not be extended to differences of opinion over the
degree of recovery from a disabling injury, notwithstanding a lack of
reasonable basis for the employer's belief.
Id. Under this authority, and with the limitations stated, the Commission did not exceed
its statutory authority in enacting rule 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c) concerning perceived
disability.
B. The Use of the Word "Perceived" In Commission Rule 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c) Does Not Require
That the Respondent Employer Have Either Personally Observed the Complainant or Seen Her
Medical Reports and Concluded From Such Observation or Reports That She Is Disabled:
13. The Respondents argue that because Mr. McIvor did not personally observe
Complainant Martin from the time her sick leave began until August 12, 1991, and had
not received medical reports describing her cancer during that time, he could not have
perceived that she was disabled when he spoke to her on August 2, 1991. (Reply Brief at
5-7). Respondents relied on particular definitions of "perceived":
The word "perceived" is defined in Websters New Collegiate Dictionary
"1973 edition" as follows: "(1) To attain awareness or understanding of;
and (2) to become aware of through the senses esp: see, observe.
The word perceive is defined in the American Heritage Dictionary of the
English Language, (1969 Edition) as: "(1) To become aware of directly
through any of the senses; especially to see or hear; (2) to take notice of;
observe, detect; . . . "
(Reply Brief at 5-6).
14. The meaning of the word "perceive" is not, however, limited to situations involving
observation with the senses or acquiring information from medical reports. Other
definitions of the word "perceive" are found in the dictionaries relied on in the majority
and the dissenting opinions interpreting other language of the Iowa Civil Rights Act in
United States Jaycees v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 427 N.W.2d 450, 454, 457
(Iowa 1988)(the massive Webster's Third New Int'l Dictionary relied on by majority;
Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary relied on by dissent). The secondary
definition in both of those dictionaries is "to become aware of through the senses."
Webster's Third New Int'l Dictionary 1675 (1993); Webster's Ninth New Collegiate
Dictionary (1987). The primary definitions in Webster's Third New Int'l Dictionary
(1993) are "1.a: to become conscious of. [examples and synonyms omitted]. b: to
recognize or identify esp. as a basis for or as verified by action. [example omitted]." Id. at
1675. The primary definition given in Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (1987)
is "1. to attain awareness or understanding of." Id. at 872. This is also the primary
definition in the 1973 edition quoted by Respondents. (Reply Brief at 5).
15. Under these primary definitions of "perceive", it is not necessary to show the
employer obtained awareness solely through means of direct observation or medical
reports. Under a liberal construction or interpretation of the rule covering persons who
actually have "none of the impairments defined to be 'physical or mental impairments,'"
161 IAC 8.26(5)(c), an employer may have "perceived [such person] as having such an
impairment", id., if the employer "[became] conscious," "recognize[d] or identif[ied]"
Webster's Third New Int'l Dictionary 1675 (1993), or "attain[ed an] awareness or
understanding," Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary 872 (1987), that the person
had such an impairment. Under these definitions, there are no limitations on how the
employer became aware or conscious of, or recognized or identified the impairment.
C. Proof of "Perceived Disability" Under Commission Rule 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c) Refers to the
Respondent Employer's Perception That the Complainant Is Disabled:
16. Respondents argue that, under rule 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c), Complainant Martin must be
perceived by the public or employers generally to be impaired and not just by the
employer charged with discrimination. (Reply Brief at 7-9). This proposition is contrary
to the greater weight of controlling and persuasive legal authority.
17. The Iowa Supreme Court's decision in Frank v. American Freight Systems, Inc., 398
N.W.2d 797 (Iowa 1987) was discussed previously. In that case, the employer, American
Freight, argued that the plaintiff, Frank, was actually disabled under the statutory and rule
provisions governing disability. Id. at 800. Frank argued that "he is not actually disabled
but that American Freight perceives him to be and he is therefore considered to be
disabled for discrimination purposes under commission rules 6.1(1) and (5)." Id. (citing
rules 240 IAC 6.1(1) and (5)(now 161 IAC 8.26(1) and (5)). The Court concluded, "[i]n
either event, Frank is 'disabled' as that term is used in Iowa Code section 601A.6." Id.
(citing Iowa Code S 601A.6, now S 216.6). This controlling authority stands for the
proposition that either an actual disability or a perception by the employer that the
employee is disabled will suffice to support the conclusion that the employee is disabled
with respect to the Act's provisions, and the Commission's rules, addressing disability
discrimination in employment. Id.
18. The Respondents suggest that the decision in Annear means "that it is not the
perception of the sole employe[r] that governs as it recognizes that a mistake in judgment
cannot be the basis of a finding of discrimination." (Trial Brief at 11). The Court's
comments, previously quoted, about a hypothetical situation where an employer might,
through an error in judgment, believe that an applicant was physically unable to do the
work, do not, however, indicate that the employer's perception of disability is never at
issue in a perceived disability case. See Annear v. State, 454 N.W.2d 869, 875 (Iowa
1990). See Conclusion of Law No. 12. Rather, the court held only that the third part of
the definition of the term "is regarded as having an impairment", [now at 161 IAC S
8.26(5)(c)], "may not be extended to differences of opinion over the degree of recovery
from a disabling injury, notwithstanding a lack of reasonable basis for the employer's
belief." Annear at 875.
19. In addition, the Iowa Supreme Court has recognized that the federal Rehabilitation
Act of 1973, and the rules and cases under that act, are persuasive authorities with respect
to the Iowa Civil Rights Act and rules. See Boelman v. Manson State Bank, 532 N.W.2d
73, 79 (Iowa 1994); Probasco v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 420 N.W.2d 432, 435
(Iowa 1988) . While the Court has not yet found that the Americans With Disabilities Act
statute, rules, and cases are persuasive authorities with respect to the Iowa Civil Rights
Act, there are reasons to believe that it may do so. In accordance with Congressional
intent, the ADA statutory definition of "disability" is adopted from the Rehabilitation
Act's definition of the term "individual with handicaps." EEOC, Americans With
Disabilities Handbook I-25 (1991)(EEOC Interpretive Guidance to 29 C.F.R. S
1630.2(g)). This was done so that Rehabilitation Act caselaw could be applied to this
ADA definition. Id. Similarly, the ADA rules reflect the congressional intent that they be
modeled after the Department of Education's regulations implementing the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973. EEOC, Americans With Disabilities Handbook I-3 (1991)(citing 34 CFR
part 104). Given these similarities between the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA, it would
appear that the ADA statute, rules, and cases would also constitute persuasive authority
with respect to the Iowa Civil Rights Act.
20. These federal rules and statutes, like the Commission rules, address persons "regarded
as having such an impairment" Compare e.g. 161 IAC 8.26(1) with 29 U.S.C. S
706(8)(B) (Rehabilitation Act of 1973); 42 U.S.C. S 12102(2)(c) (Americans With
Disabilities Act-ADA); 29 C.F.R. S 32.3 (Dept. of Labor Rehabilitation Act rules); 34
C.F.R. S 104.3(j) (Dept. of Education Rehabilitation Act rules), 45 C.F.R. S
84.3(j)(1)(Dept. of Health and Human Services Rehabilitation Act rules); and 29 C.F.R. S
1630.2(g) (EEOC ADA employment rules). The federal rules recognize that the key
question with respect to disability discrimination against persons with no actual
impairment is whether the employer treated the complainant as if he had a substantially
limiting impairment. See e.g. 29 C.F.R. S 32.3(5)(iii)(the "recipient" of federal funds
under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973); 34 C.F.R. S 104.3(j)(2)(iv)(c)(same); 45 C.F.R. S
84.3(j)(2)(iv)(C)(same); 29 C.F.R. S1630.2(1)(the "covered entity" under the ADA).
21. The similarity between the federal rules and Iowa rules may best be demonstrated by
quoting the Department of Health and Human Service's (HHS) Rehabilitation Act rules
which may be compared to the Commission's rules set forth above. The United States
Supreme Court found these rules to be of "significant assistance" in determining whether
an individual is handicapped. School Board of Nassau County v. Arline, 480 U.S. 273,
279 (1987). "[T]hese regulations were drafted with the oversight and approval of
Congress" and "provide 'an important source of guidance on the meaning of S 504.'" Id.
The HHS rules state:
(j) "Handicapped person." (1) "Handicapped person" means any person
who (i) has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one
or more major life activities, (ii) has a record of such impairment, or (iii) is
regarded as having such an impairment.
(2) As used in paragraph (j)(1) of this section, the phrase:
(i) ["physical or mental impairment" definition which is identical to that in
the Iowa Civil Rights Commission's rules].
. . .
(iv) "Is regarded as having an impairment" means (A) has a physical or
mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but
that is treated by a recipient as constituting such a limitation; (B) has a
physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities
only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or (C)
has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (j)(2)(i) of this section
but is treated by a recipient as having such an impairment.
45 C.F.R. 84.3(j)((2)(1989).
22. The Iowa rule dealing with persons who have no impairments, but are perceived as
having such an impairment, 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c), is analogous to the third part of the
ADA's "statutory definition to the term 'disability' . . .[which] covers . . . persons who
have no impairments but nonetheless are treated as having substantially limiting
impairments." EEOC Compliance Manual, Volume 2, EEOC Order 915.002, Section
902.8 (emphasis added)(as printed in BNA, Fair Employment Practice Manual 405:7278
(1995)). While the exact language of the regulations differ in that the Iowa Civil Rights
Commission's rules refer to a person who is "perceived as having such an impairment,"
161 IAC 8.26(5)(c), and the EEOC's rules refer to a person who "is treated by a covered
entity as having a substantially limiting impairment," 29 C.F.R. S 1630.2(1), the
Compliance Manual comments indicate that the EEOC's rules are also concerned with the
perception of the employer:
[T]his part of the definition is directed at the employer rather than at the
individual alleging discrimination. The issue is whether the employer
treats the individual as having an impairment that substantially limits
major life activities. Thus, as the legislative history of the ADA notes,
"[t]he perception of the covered entity is a key element of this test." House
Judiciary Report at 30. Because it is the employer's perception that is at
issue, it is not necessary that the individual alleging discrimination
actually have a disability or impairment. It also is not necessary that the
employer's perception of the individual be shared by other employers. The
individual is covered by this part of the definition if (s)he can show that
the employer "made an employment decision because of a perception of
disability based on 'myth, fear or stereotype.. . .'" 29 C.F.R. p. 1630 app. S
1630.2(l); see also House Judiciary Report at 30-31.
EEOC Compliance Manual, Volume 2, EEOC Order 915.002, Section 902.8 (emphasis
added)(as printed in BNA, Fair Employment Practice Manual 405:7279 (1995)). The
EEOC's Interpretive Guidance to its rules also supports this view: "An individual satisfies
the third part of the 'regarded as' definition of 'disability' if the employer or other covered
entity erroneously believes the individual has a substantially limiting impairment that the
individual actually does not have." EEOC, Americans With Disabilities Handbook I-35
(1991). The Interpretive Guidance also rejects the proposition that it must be shown that
"others in the field" perceived the individual as being disabled. Id. These are persuasive
authorities that it is the perception of impairment held by the Respondent employer, and
not that of employers in general or of the general public, which is determinative in cases
of perceived disability.
D. The Return of Other Employees to Their Full-Time Positions After Leaves for Cancer Does
Not Establish That the Respondents Did Not Perceive Complainant Martin to Be Disabled When
These Leaves Occurred Long After Martin Filed Her Complaint:
23. Respondents argue that they could not have perceived Complainant Martin to be
disabled due to her cancer because other employees returned to their full-time positions
after their leaves for cancer treatment were concluded. (Reply Brief at 10). These leaves,
however, occurred long after the filing of the complaint in this case. See Finding of Fact
Nos. 34. It has been long recognized by the courts and this Commission that substantial
changes in employment practices or policies:
"in the face of litigation are equivocal in purpose, motive, and
performance." Reed v. Arlington Hotel, 476 F.2d 721, 724 (8th Cir.
1973)(quoting Jenkins v. United Gas Corporation, 400 F.2d 28, 33 (5th
Cir. 1968) and citing Parham v. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., 433
F.2d 421, 426 (8th Cir.1970). See also Teamsters v. United States, 431
U.S. 324, 341-42 (1977)("The company's later changes in its hiring . . .
policies could be little comfort to the victims of its earlier discrimination
and could not erase its previous illegal conduct").
Cristen Harms, XI Iowa Civil Rights Commission Case Reports 89, 123 (1992). By
analogy, favorable post complaint treatment of employees with cancer tells us little about
whether or not the Complainant was either discriminated against or perceived as disabled.
If there had been evidence concerning the pre-complaint treatment of other employees
with cancer, it might have had some probative value on this question.
E. Cancer Can Be a "Disability" or "Perceived Disability" Under the Iowa Civil Rights Act:
1. Cancer Can Be a Disability Under the Act:
24. The meaning of "disability" under the statute is a question of law. Consolidated
Freightways v. Cedar Rapids Civil Rights Commission, 366 N.W.2d 522, 526 (Iowa
1985). The legal question presented, then, under the statute and rules in effect in 1991, is
whether cancer "can constitute a physical . . .condition of a person which constitutes . . . a
substantial handicap." See Id. at 526-27; Iowa Code S 601A.2(4)(1991)(as amended to
delete the "unrelated to such person's ability to engage in a particular occupation"
language also applied in Consolidated Freightways at 526-27); 161 IAC S 8.26(1)-(3).
This is a separate question from that of whether Complainant Martin had a protected
disability on the basis that she was afflicted with cancer. See Consolidated Freightways,
366 N.W.2d at 527.
25. In determining whether cancer can be a disability under the statute, the Commission
adopts the following definition of "cancer." Cancer is:
[a] general term frequently used to indicate any of various types of
malignant neoplasms, most of which invade surrounding tissues, may
metastasize to several sites, and are likely to recur after attempted removal
and to cause death of the patient unless adequately treated.
Stedman's Illustrated Medical Dictionary 216 (5th Unabridged Lawyers Ed. 1982). A
"neoplasm" is a "new growth" or "tumor". Id. at 930. Official notice is taken of these
definitions. Iowa Code S 17A.14. Fairness to the parties does not require that they be
given an opportunity to contest these facts.
26. A physical impairment consisting of a malignant tumor which has the capacity to
invade and destroy surrounding tissue, to metastasize to other areas of the body, to recur
after removal, and to cause death unless properly treated, has an "inherent propensity to
[substantially] limit one or more of the [affected] individual's major life activities
independent of the perceptions of others." Consolidated Freightways v. Cedar Rapids
Civil Rights Commission, 366 N.W.2d 522, 527 (Iowa 1985). As such, in accordance
with the Iowa Supreme Court's prior interpretation of the Commission rules on disability,
and the 1991 statutory definition of disability, cancer can be a physical condition of a
person which constitutes a substantial handicap, i.e. a "disability" under the Act. See id.
at 527, 528 (citing Sommers v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 337 N.W.2d 470, 476-77
(Iowa 1983)); Iowa Code 601A.2(4)(1991).
27. The above mode of analysis follows that used by the Iowa Supreme Court to
determine that alcoholism fell within the definition of disability as used in the Cedar
Rapids human rights ordinance. See Consolidated Freightways at 526-28. The ordinance
was, at that time, required to be consistent with the Iowa Civil Rights Act and was
"almost identical" with respect to the Act's definition of disability. See id. at 526. The
Commission rules and prior Iowa Civil Rights Act cases were relied upon in making the
determination as to whether alcoholism was a disability. Id. at 526-28. The Court
reversed the district court's "determination that the commission's finding that alcoholism
is a disability was not supported by substantial evidence." Id. at 528. Part of the reason
for the reversal is that an adjudicatory body may use dictionary definitions of a physical
condition in determining whether that condition comes within the statutory definition of
disability. Id. This is permitted as a form of judicial notice, see id.(citing e.g. Iowa R.
Evid. 201(a)), and, therefore, in administrative proceedings, as official notice, of a
legislative fact. See Iowa Code 17A.14.
2. Cancer Can Be A "Perceived Disability" Under the Act:
a. Limitation on "perceived disability" set forth in Annear:
28. Complainant Martin claims a perceived, not an actual disability. See Finding of Fact
No. 2, 21. The pertinent perceived disability rule states "The term "is regarded as having
an impairment" means: . . . c. Has none of the impairments defined to be "physical or
mental impairments," but is perceived as having such an impairment." 161 IAC
8.26(5)(c). As previously noted, the Court in Annear v. State held that, in order for this
rule to be given effect, "it must be limited to situations involving a categorical organic
disorder of the body. Cf. Sommers, 337 N.W.2d at 476." Annear, 454 N.W.2d at 875
(emphasis added). The court went on to hold that "[t]he definition may not be extended to
differences of opinion over the degree of recovery from a disabling injury,
notwithstanding a lack of reasonable basis for the employer's belief."Id.
b. The meaning of the phrase "situations involving a categorical. organic disorder of the
body" is not certain.
29. The citation signal "Cf." means that Sommers "supports a proposition different from
the main proposition but sufficiently analogous to lend support." Harvard Law Review
Assn., Uniform System of Citation 9 (1981). "The citation's relevance will usually be
clear to the reader only if it is explained [in a parenthetical]." Id. Unfortunately, the court
did not explain the relevance of this cite to Sommers. Annear at 875. Therefore, there is
some question about what the reference to "situations involving a categorical organic
disorder of the body" means. Autry, Iowa Disability Discrimination in Employment: An
Overview and Critique 40 Drake L. Rev. 305, 342-43 (1991). The complete phrase
"categorical organic disorder of the body" is found in no statute, rule or case other than
Annear. See Annear at 875. An examination of the Sommers case is necessary to resolve
this question.
c. The Sommers discussion of the rule defining physical impairment.
30. The Sommers cite refers to the following paragraphs ruling on Sommers's claim that
transsexualism is an actual physical disability:
The implementing rule defines both physical and mental impairment.
Sommers claims she has a medical condition that has its roots in physical
or mental factors. Because her claim lacks further specificity, we will
examine the relevant portions of each definition.
The portion of the definition of "physical impairment" that is relevant here
refers to a "physiological disorder or condition" or "anatomical loss."
[Now at 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a)]. This definition is confined to the
characteristics of the body organs and whether such organs are normal and
healthy. Any impairment is substantial only if it substantially interferes
with the person's ability to perform functions "such as caring for one's self,
performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing,
learning and working." [Now at 161 IAC 8.26(3)].
. . .
Under the implementing rule, a physical impairment relates to an organic
disorder of the body. No claim is made that a transsexual has an abnormal
or unhealthy body. The Commission could reasonably conclude that under
its rule Sommers had no physical impairment.
Sommers at 476 (emphasis added).
d. Explication of the use of the word "categorical".
31. The Sommers court noted the vague, general, unspecified claim that transsexualism
was "a medical condition that has its roots in physical or mental factors." Sommers at
476. There was no claim that "a transsexual has an abnormal or unhealthy body." Id.
Therefore, Sommers's claim did not fall within the implementing rule defining physical
impairment. Id. Apparently, this vague, unspecified claim of a physical disorder was not
what the Annear court would later refer to as one of a"categorical organic disorder of the
body." Annear at 875. It was not a "direct, explicit, express, unconditional" claim of a
physical disorder.. I Compact Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary 355
(1971)(definition of "categorical").
e. Explication of the phrase"organic disorder of the body."
32. In Sommers, the Court's references to "organic disorder of the body," "an abnormal or
unhealthy body," "characteristics of the body organs," and "body organs" were made
while relying on and explaining the Commission's rule defining physical impairment.
Sommers at 476 (explaining 240 IAC 5.6(2)(a), now 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a)). These
references were used to characterize the rule without having to restate it or list all the
body systems set forth in the rule. Sommers at 476. The rule lists various categories of
body systems which may be affected by a "physiological disorder or condition,, cosmetic
disfigurement, or anatomical loss." 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a). Thus, if it is shown, as provided
by the rule, that a "physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or
anatomical loss affect[s] one or more of the . . . body systems [listed in the rule]", id., it
constitutes a "physical impairment." Id.
33. Since the phrase "organic disorder of the body" was used with reference to the
necessity of "a claim of an abnormal or unhealthy body," Sommers at 476, it is clear that
"organic" as used in that phrase refers not only to disorders "relating to an organ," but to
disorders "relating to [the] organism" or "the living individual." Stedman's Illustrated
Medical Dictionary 993 (5th Unabridged Lawyers Ed. 1982)(definitions of "organic" and
"organism"). This interpretation is consistent with the rule which addresses physical
disorders "affecting one or more of the following body systems," some of which are
"organs." 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a). It is also consistent with the statement "[t]his [rule]
definition is confined to the characteristics of the body organs and whether such organs
are normal and healthy." Sommers at 476. Given the plain language of the rule, it is clear
the Court treats "body systems" and "body organs" as synonymous concepts. See
Sommers at 475, 476. The phrase "body organs" does not appear in the rule. See id at 475
(quoting rule 240 IAC 6.1(2)(a) now 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a)).
34. "Disorder" as used in the phrase "categorical organic disorder of the body" and the
rule, 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a), is a "disturbance of function, structure, or both resulting from a
genetic or embryologic failure in development, or from exogenous factors such as poison,
injury, or disease." Stedman's Illustrated Medical Dictionary 414 (5th Unabridged
Lawyers Ed. 1982).
f. Explanation of the limitation whereby the rule at 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c) is given effect
only "in situations involving a categorical organic disorder of the body."
35. Unlike Sommers, Sommers at 476, the rule considered in Annear, Annear at 875, and
this case is concerned with perceived physical impairment and not actual physical
impairment. 161 IAC 8.26(5)(c). It may be given effect only "in situations involving a
categorical organic disorder of the body." Annear at 875. The situations the court was
referring to were ones where the perceived impairment does not involve a vague,
unspecified claim of a perceived medical condition which has its roots "in physical or
mental factors." Sommers at 476. The perceived impairment must be a disorder which, if
it were real, would involve "an abnormal or unhealthy body." See id. This requirement
could also be met by proof of a perception of a disorder which affects the body systems
as set forth in the rule defining physical impairment. 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a). See Autry, Iowa
Disability Discrimination in Employment: An Overview and Critique 40 Drake L. Rev.
305, 343 (1991)(possible contradiction between rule governing perceived disability
where no actual impairment exists and phrase "situations involving a categorical organic
disorder of the body" is resolved if the phrase refers to defendant's perception of plaintiff
having such a disorder as opposed to requiring plaintiff to have the disorder).
g. Application to this case of the limitation to cases involving perceived disability of
recurring cancer:
36. There are three reasons why a perception that a complainant had cancer or, as in this
case, a recurring or future cancer, would be "a situation involving a categorical organic
disorder of the body." Annear at 875. First, such a claim of a perceived impairment is not
a vague or unspecified claim of impairment. See Sommers at 476. Second, a perception
of a body with cancer is certainly a perception of an abnormal or unhealthy body. See id.
Under the Consolidated Freightways analysis set forth above, cancer can be an actual
physical disability. See Conclusions of Law Nos. 24-27. Third, under the definition of
cancer set forth above, see Conclusion of Law No. 25, it is evident that it always affects
some body system and, because of its propensity for metastasizing to other locations in
the body, could affect any of them. (For example, the cancer which afflicted Complainant
Martin in 1991 affected her lymphatic system. See Finding of Fact No. 9.) It would
therefore fall within the rule defining physical impairment. See 161 IAC 8.26(2)(a).
h. Application to this case of the holding that "the definition may not be extended to
differences of opinion over the degree of recovery from a disabling injury."
37. As previously noted, the definition of physical impairment "may not be extended to
differences of opinion over the degree of recovery from a disabling injury." Annear at
875. This case is not concerned with an injury, but with cancer. See Finding of Fact No.
21. In any event, there is no indication that there was a difference of opinion over
whether or not the Complainant had recovered from her present cancer. See Finding of
Fact No. 24A.
38. An accurate interpretation of this aspect of the court's ruling in Annear was set forth
by one commentator:
[t]he most plausible interpretation of the court's ruling is that a completely
recovered and unimpaired person is not "disabled" just because his
employer believes the person has not yet recovered. Under this reading the
employer believes the employee is recovering but has not recovered
enough to do the job. Thus, there is no perception of permanent or long-
term disability, but merely a "difference of opinion" over the speed of
recovery.
Autry, Iowa Disability Discrimination in Employment: An Overview and Critique 40
Drake L. Rev. 305, 343 (1991). Cf. Thompson v. City of Arlington, 838 F. Supp. 1137,
1152 (N.D. Tex. 1993)(placement of police officer on restricted duty until officer
provides mental health records requested by employer to show she is qualified to return
to duty "does not show that City regards her as having an impairment of the kind
contemplated by ADA"); Paegle v. Dept. of Interior, 813 F. Supp. 61, 65 (D.D.C.
1993)(placement of officer on temporary, limited duty until expected recovery does not
mean employer regarded him as disabled).
39. The perception here was that the Complainant's cancer would recur and cause future
extended absences affecting her availability for work. See Finding of Fact No. 22-28, 30.
This is precisely the type of situation anticipated by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and
the administrative rules promulgated thereunder. Senator Humphrey's concern in this
regard was set forth in his letter to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare, on
March 14, 1977, to the Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare upon HEW's
promulgation of the first rules implementing section 504, the nondiscrimination clause of
the Rehabilitation Act:
Early diagnosis and improved methods of treatment have lowered the
recurrence rate of major forms of cancer. At the same time, a growing
number of former cancer patients are seriously and unjustly impaired in
their ability to fulfill personal, family, and community responsibilities by
their inability to secure employment upon recovery. This situation is too
frequently the result of irrational fears or prejudice on the part of
employers or fellow workers.
123 Cong. Rec. 13515 (1977).
40. This letter was cited and quoted with approval by the United States Supreme Court
when discussing the myths "that make it difficult for former cancer patients to secure
employment." School Board of Nassau County v. Arline, 480 U.S. 273, 284 n.13 (1987).
The court also cited a medical text which documented job discrimination against cancer
patients. Id. (citing Feldman, "Wellness and Work" in Psychosocial Stress and Cancer
173-200 (C. Cooper ed. 1984). One of the examples described in the text concerned the
refusal to hire former cancer patients whose doctors could not guarantee the illness would
not return. Psychosocial Stress and Cancer at 190. In passing the Rehabilitation Act of
1973, "Congress acknowledged that society's accumulated myths and fears about
disability and disease are as handicapping as are the physical limitations that flow from
actual impairment." Arline, 480 U.S. at 284. These Rehabilitation Act authorities are
persuasive authority that the type of perceived disability discrimination which occurred in
this case would also violate the Iowa Civil Rights Act. See Boelman v. Manson State
Bank, 532 N.W.2d 73, 79 (Iowa 1994)(Rehabilitation Act cases persuasive); Probasco v.
Iowa Civil Rights Commn, 420 N.W.2d 432, 435 (Iowa 1988)(Rehab. Act rules and cases
persuasive).
41. Under either the direct language of Annear, Annear at 875, or the interpretation of a
commentator, Autry, Iowa Disability Discrimination in Employment: An Overview and
Critique 40 Drake L. Rev. at 343, this case is not the type of situation which the Annear
decision indicated should not be covered by the rule. This case is, however,
representative of the forms of discrimination practiced against cancer patients set forth in
the sources cited in the Arline case, as discussed above. Arline, 480 U.S. at 284 n.13. See
Conclusions of Law Nos. 39-40.
F. The Complainant Met the Legal Standards for "Perceived Disability": She Was a Substantially
Handicapped Individual As She Was Perceived as Having a Physical Impairment Which
Substantially Limited One or More Major Life Activities:
42. As previously noted, the Complainant was perceived as an individual with recurring
cancer. It was inferred that Respondents' concern with the recurrence of the cancer was
that it would cause her to miss work in the future for extended periods of time. See
Finding of Fact No. 22, 30, 41. Complainant Martin had undergone surgery for cancer,
had been hospitalized, and had then undergone outpatient radiation therapy. Her
treatments necessitated an absence of sixteen weeks. The Respondents were aware of that
treatment. See Finding of Fact No. 9, 32. Respondents perceived that Complainant Martin
underwent chemotherapy, although she did not. Respondent McIvor also indicated that, at
one point in her treatment, he was concerned that Complainant's ability to speak might be
impaired even after the treatment was completed. See Finding of Fact No. 32. On August
12th, he suggested she apply for disability insurance. See Finding of Fact No. 11.
43. Under these circumstances, Complainant had a perceived disability. She was
perceived by her employer to have a "physical condition . . . which constitutes a
substantial handicap." Iowa Code S 601A.2(4)(1991). Expressed in terms of the
applicable rules, she was a "substantially handicapped person," 161 IAC 8.26(1), who
was "regarded as having," id., or "perceived as having," id. at 8.26(5)(c), a "physical . . .
impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities," id. at 8.26(2)(a),
even though she then had no such impairment. See id. at 8.26(5)(c).
44. As previously discussed, a perception of recurring cancer is a perception of physical
impairment under the Act. See Conclusion of Law No. 36. It would usually constitute a
perception of a substantial handicap which substantially limits one or more life activities.
See Conclusion of Law No. 43. "[T]here is little question that cancer history raises
barriers to employment opportunities which are unrelated to a person's qualifications."
Burris v. City of Phoenix, 2 A.D. Cas. 1251 (Az. Ct. App. 1993). "[T]he attitude of
employers . . . toward [a] previous impairment may result in an individual experiencing
difficult in securing retaining, or advancing in employment. [T]hose who have had . . .
cancer often experience such difficulty." 41 C.F.R. 60-741.54 (App. A)(OFCCP
affirmative action rules under the Rehabilitation Act).
1. The Perception That Complainant Had A Recurring Cancer Which Would Cause Future
Extended Absences From Work Is a Perception of a "Substantial Handicap.":
45. "Any impairment is substantial only if it substantially interferes with the person's
ability to perform functions 'such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks,
walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working,'" Sommers v. Iowa
Civil Right Commission, 337 N.W.2d 470, 476 (Iowa 1983)(quoting rule 6.1(2)(b), now
8.26(2)(b)), or other "major life activity." See 161 IAC 8.26(2)(b).
46. A disability which actually caused extended absences from work would substantially
interfere with work. This is so because it would limit the employee's "overall ability to
work or learn." Henkel Corp. v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 471 N.W.2d 806, 810
(Iowa 1991). Extended absences from work would interfere with a wide range of jobs.
See Falczynski v. Amoco Oil Co., 533 N.W.2d 226, 232 (Iowa 1995). A disability which
caused repeated extended absences from work could not be fairly described as one which
disqualified an individual from "one particular job for one particular employer." Probasco
v. Iowa Civil Rights Comm., 420 N.W.2d 432, 436 (Iowa 1988). It is "substantially
limiting within our statute." Id. Even where there is no prior history of cancer, an
employee who is terminated because his genetic profile indicates an increased
susceptibility to cancer would be regarded as having a substantially limiting impairment.
Cf. EEOC Compliance Manual, Volume 2, EEOC Order 915.002, Section 902.8
(emphasis added)(as printed in BNA, Fair Employment Practice Manual 405:7280
(1995)(applicant denied position due to such profile). The perception by the Respondents
that Complainant Martin was at risk for future cancer which would cause extended
repeated absences from work demonstrates that Complainant Martin is a "substantially
handicapped person." 161 IAC 8.26(1).
2. The Combination of the Hospitalization and Extensive Treatment Undergone by Complainant
Martin, and the Beliefs Held About Her Treatment and Condition by the Respondents Support
the Finding That She Was Perceived As Being Disabled and, Therefore, Had a Substantial
Handicap:
47. The evidence of Martin's hospitalization and treatment, of the Respondents'
awareness of that treatment, and of the Respondent's beliefs concerning that treatment
and her condition all support the conclusion that she was perceived as being substantially
handicapped. In the Arline case, the United States Supreme Court found that the
plaintiff's tuberculosis "was serious enough to require hospitalization, a fact more than
sufficient to establish that one or more of her major life activities were substantially
limited by her treatment." School Board of Nassau County v. Arline, 480 U.S. 273, 317
(1987). The record here establishes not only hospitalization of the Complainant, but also
extensive radiation treatment, both of which were known by Respondents. The record
also establishes a belief by Respondent McIvor that she had undergone chemotherapy,
and a concern that her speaking would be impaired after the treatment was concluded. In
addition McIvor suggested she check out disability insurance. See Conclusion of Law
No. 42. This evidence is sufficient to show that complainant was perceived as being
disabled. 161 IAC SS 8.26(1), (5)(c). She was a substantially handicapped person, see
Iowa Code S 601A.2(4)(1991)("substantial handicap"); 161 IAC S 8.26(1)("'substantially
handicapped person' shall mean any person . . . regarded as having such impairment"),
and "disabled" for the purposes of the Act. See Frank v. American Freight Systems, Inc.,
398 N.W.2d 797, 800 (Iowa 1987)
V. CERTAIN DEFENSES AND CLAIMS WERE WAIVED BY THE PARTIES:
A. Respondent's Failure to Raise the Mixed Motive or Same Decision Defense on Brief or On It's
Pleadings Waives the Defense:
48. Respondent has failed to raise the "mixed motive" or "same decision" defense on
brief or on in its pleadings. This defense may arise "[w]here direct evidence [of
discrimination] is presented and the employer suggests other factors [i.e. motives in
addition to discrimination] influenced the decision." Landals v. George A. Rolfes
Company, 454 N.W.2d 891 (Iowa 1990)(cited in Civil Service Commission v. Iowa Civil
Rights Commission, 522 N.W.2d. 82, 88 (Iowa 1994). "[T]he employer [then] has the
burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that it would have made the same
decision even if it had not considered the improper factor." Id. For the reasons stated
below, the failure of Respondent to raise this defense on brief or on pleadings constitutes
either a waiver of the defense or an admission that it has no mixed motive defense and
that the only defenses it has are those which are asserted on brief and in it's pleadings.
49. First, since the Respondent has asserted only certain defenses on brief or in its
pleadings, it is limited to those defenses. Cf. Larson v. Employment Appeal Board, 474
N.W.2d 570, 572 (Iowa 1991)(citing Wilson Trailer Co. v. Iowa Employment Security
Comm'n, 168 N.W.2d 771, 776 (Iowa 1969)(employer bound to reasons for termination
set forth on brief). Larson was an unemployment insurance case. Id. The Court held that
an employer was bound by the reasons for termination of an employee which were stated
in its brief filed with the Employment Appeal Board. Id. Since the employer had stated
that the employee was terminated for inability to do work, a reason which would not
disqualify the employee for benefits, it was bound by this statement. Id. Based on this
admission, benefits were granted, although the employer attempted to argue that the
employee had been terminated for misconduct. Id.
50. Second, the Respondent's failure to urge a defense before the administrative law
judge constitutes a waiver of that defense. See 161 IAC 4.3(15) (formerly 240 IAC
1.9(12)("Any objection not duly made before the hearing officer shall be deemed
waived"). Cf. Chauffeurs, Teamsters and Helpers, Local Union No. 238 v. Iowa Civil
Rights Commission, 394 N.W.2d 375, 382 (Iowa 1986)(citing e.g. 240 IAC 1.9(12)(error
not preserved at the Commission level is waived--issue must be raised before the
agency).
51. Third, the defenses which are offered by Respondent are not consistent with the
theory of a mixed motive case. When, as here, a complainant alleges discrimination and a
respondent to a charge asserts there is "no discriminatory actuation," Callan v.
Confederation of Oregon School Administrators, 317 P.2d 1252, 57 Fair Empl. Prac.
1696, 1698 (Ore. Ct. App. 1986), the case is "not a mixed motive case." Id.
B. Respondent Has Waived the Defense That Complainant Failed to Mitigate Her Damages As
Such Defense Is Not Discussed on Brief:
52. Although the affirmative defense that Complainant failed to mitigate her damages
was raised in the Respondent's prehearing conference form, it was not addressed on brief
by Respondent. Therefore, it has been waived. See Conclusions of Law Nos. 49-50.
C. Complainant Has Waived any Claim Based on the Theory That Respondent Failed to
Reasonably Accommodate Complainant Martin:
53. Although the claim that Respondent failed to reasonably accommodate the
Complainant was raised in the Complainant's prehearing conference form, it was not
addressed on brief by Complainant. Therefore, it has been waived. See Conclusions of
Law Nos. 49-50.
53. Failure to make reasonable accommodation is recognized as a theory of employment
discrimination which is separate and independent from disparate treatment theory.
Rancour v. Detroit Edison Company, 388 N.W.2d 338, 341-42 & n.2 (Mich. App.
1986)(disability case distinguishing between 'failure to accommodate theory" and
"discrimination theory"); Schlei & Grossman, Employment Discrimination Law: Five
Year Cumulative Supplement 1, 61-69, 81-87 (2nd ed. 1989)(discussion of reasonable
accommodation and disparate treatment theories). The claim that Complainant Martin
was subjected to disparate treatment was addressed in both the Complainant's and the
Commission's briefs and will be considered.
VI. THE ANALYSIS SET FORTH IN BOELMAN V. MANSON STATE BANK IS NOT
APPROPRIATE FOR THIS CASE:
54. It is undisputed that Complainant Martin's absence was due to cancer experienced by
her in 1991. See Finding of Fact No. 41. If the claim had been made that this cancer was
an actual disability, then the fact McIvor told Complainant Martin that she was replaced
due to her absence would be sufficient to establish a prima facie case under the analysis
set forth in the Boelman case. See Boelman v. Manson State Bank, 522 N.W.2d 73, 77
(Iowa 1994). Since the termination would be based on conduct (the absence) causally
connected to Complainant's disability, it would be considered to be based on the
disability. See id.; Teahan v. Metro-North Commuter RR. Co., 951 F.2d 511, 517 (2nd
Cir. 1991). But the claim is not made here that the cancer in 1991 was an actual disability
or that such actual disability was relied on by Respondents. The claim here is that the
future occurrence of the cancer constituted a perceived disability. See Finding of Fact No.
21. Although shown by the evidence, reliance on future recurrence of cancer is not
admitted as a reason for Complainant's termination or replacement by the Respondents.
See Trial Brief and Reply Brief. Because this case focuses on the claim of whether "the
plaintiff was discharged because of [her perceived] disability" and not "whether the
plaintiff's disability and its consequences make the plaintiff unqualified for the position,"
the Boelman analysis is not appropriate for this case. Boelman v. Manson State Bank, 73,
79 (Iowa 1994).
55. The two methods of analysis which are appropriate for proving disparate treatment in
this case, the direct evidence method and the McDonnell-Douglas method are utilized as
set forth below.
VII. THE DIRECT EVIDENCE METHOD OF PROVING DISPARATE TREATMENT:
56. "Direct evidence" is that "evidence, which if believed, proves existence of [the] fact
in issue without inference or presumption." It is "that means of proof which tends to show
the existence of a fact in question, without the intervention of the proof of any other fact,
and is distinguished from circumstantial evidence, which is often called "indirect".
BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY 413-14 (1979). Either policies which on their face call
for consideration of a prohibited factor or statements by relevant managers reflecting bias
constitute direct evidence of discrimination. Schlei & Grossman, Employment
Discrimination Law: Five Year Cumulative Supplement 477-78 (2nd ed. 1989).
57. Examples of direct evidence that a protected class status is a motivating factor in an
employment decision include comments by decisionmakers expressing a preference for
employees who are members of a particular protected class or comments indicating that
stereotypes of members of a particular protected class played a role in the challenged
decision or practice. See e.g. Price-Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228, 109 S. Ct.
1775, 104 L. Ed. 2d 268, 288 (1989)(promotion); Barbano v. Madison County, 922 F.2d
139, 143, 54 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. 1287, 1290, 1292 (2nd Cir. 1990)(hiring); Buckley v.
Hospital Corporation of America, 758 F.2d 1525, 1530 (11th Cir. 1985)(discharge);
Storey v. City of Sparta Police Department, 667 F. Supp. 1164, 45 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas.
1546, 1551 (M.D. Tenn. 1987)(hiring).
58. The proper analytical approach in a case with direct evidence of discrimination is,
first, to note the presence of such evidence; second, to make the finding, if the evidence is
sufficiently probative, that the challenged practice discriminates against the complainant
because of the prohibited basis; third, to consider any affirmative defenses of the
respondent; and, fourth, to then conclude whether or not illegal discrimination has
occurred. See Trans World Airlines v. Thurston, 469 U.S. 111, 121-22, 124-25, 105 S.
Ct. 613, 83 L.Ed. 2d 523, 533, 535 (1985)(Age Discrimination in Employment
Act)(evidence sufficiently probative as policy was facially discriminatory; practice
discriminated on basis of age; affirmative defenses rejected; violation of ADEA found).
With the presence of such direct evidence, the analytical framework, involving shifting
burdens of production, which was originally set forth in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v.
Green, 411 U.S. 792, 93 S. Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed. 2d 207 (1973), and subsequently adopted
by the Iowa Supreme Court, e.g. Iowa State Fairgrounds Security v. Iowa Civil Rights
Commission, 322 N.W.2d 293, 296 (Iowa 1982); Consolidated Freightways v. Cedar
Rapids Civil Rights Commission, 366 N.W.2d 522, 530 (Iowa 1985), is inapplicable.
Landals v. Rolfes Co., 454 N.W.2d 891, 893-94 (Iowa 1990); Price-Waterhouse v.
Hopkins, 490 U.S. 228, 109 S. Ct. 1775, 104 L. Ed. 2d 268, 301 (1989)(O'Connor, J.
concurring); Trans World Airlines v. Thurston, 469 U.S. 111, 121, 124-25, 105 S. Ct.
613, 83 L.Ed. 2d 523, 533 (1985); Schlei & Grossman, Employment Discrimination Law:
Five Year Cumulative Supplement 473, 476 (2nd ed. 1989).
59. The reason why the McDonnell Douglas or "pretext" or "circumstantial evidence"
order and allocation of proof is not applicable where there is direct evidence of
discrimination, and why the employer's defenses are then treated as affirmative defenses,
i.e. the employer has a burden of persuasion and not just of production, is because:
[T]he entire purpose of the McDonnell Douglas prima facie case is to compensate for the
fact that direct evidence of intentional discrimination is hard to come by. That the
employer's burden in rebutting such an inferential case of discrimination is only one of
production does not mean that the scales should be weighted in the same manner where
there is direct evidence of intentional discrimination. Price-Waterhouse v. Hopkins, 490
U.S. 228, 109 S. Ct. 1775, 104 L. Ed. 2d 268, 301 (1989)(O'Connor, J. concurring). See
also Landals v. Rolfes Co., 454 N.W.2d 891, 893-94 (Iowa 1990).
60. In this case, there is direct evidence in the record that perceived disability of cancer
which would occur or recur in the future was the motivating factor in Respondents'
termination and replacement of the Complainant. See Findings of Fact Nos. 28, 30, 40.
61. After careful examination, this direct evidence has been found to be sufficiently
probative to establish the alleged perceived disability discrimination. See Findings of
Fact Nos. 230, 43. The statements about the Complainant's cancer were "'[c]omments
which . . . demonstrate a discriminatory animus in the decisional process' [and] were
uttered by [an individual] closely involved in employment decisions." Radabaugh v. Zip
Feed Mills, 997 F.2d 444, 62 Fair Empl. Prac. 438, 441 (8th Cir. 1993)(quoting Price-
Waterhouse, 490 U.S. at 278 (O'Connor, J. concurring). They could hardly be
characterized as "'stray remarks in the workplace,' 'statements by non- decisionmakers', or
'statements by decisionmakers unrelated to the decisional process.' Id. These remarks
represent a myth or stereotype involving victims of cancer, i.e. the myth that the cancer
will necessarily return. See Conclusions of Law Nos. 39-40.
62.. The inquiry, however, does not end there, for the affirmative defenses of the
Respondent, if any, must be examined. Trans World Airlines v. Thurston, 469 U.S. 111,
121, 124-25, 105 S. Ct. 613, 83 L.Ed. 2d 523, 533 (1985). Examples of possible
affirmative defenses which address direct evidence of discrimination include (a) that the
protected class status (e.g. perceived disability in this case) is a bona fide occupational
qualification (BFOQ) for the position, see e.g. id., 469 U.S. at 124, 105 S. Ct. at ___, 83
L.Ed. 2d at 535; or, (b) the "mixed motive" or "same decision" defense. See Conclusion
of Law No. 48. Since the Respondent failed to raise any such affirmative defense, it's
liability for discrimination is established. This reasoning accounts for the main ruling on
liability in this case.
VII. RULING IN THE ALTERNATIVE: MCDONNELL-DOUGLAS DISPARATE
TREATMENT ANALYSIS:
A. Reason for Alternative Ruling:
63. An alternative method for proving disparate treatment, the McDonnell-Douglas
method is also being applied in this case. As noted above, it has been held that the direct
evidence method of proof is more appropriate than the McDonnell-Douglas analysis
when direct evidence is relied on. Although the direct evidence method was relied upon
by none of the parties, it is only a different method of proving disparate treatment, not a
different claim. Therefore, it is within the province of the adjudicator to independently
determine whether it was the more appropriate method of proof as it would be to
determine any other question of law. "In determining the content or applicability of a rule
of domestic law, the judge is unrestricted in his investigation and conclusion. He may
reject the propositions of either party or of both parties. . . . . The parties do no more than
to assist, they control no part of the process." Morgan, Judicial Notice, 57 Harv. L. Rev.
269, 270-71 (1944)(quoted in Fed. R. Evid. 201 advisory committee note). Nonetheless,
the McDonnell-Douglas method of analysis is also being applied because it is addressed
on their briefs by the Complainant, the Commission, and the Respondents.
B. Distinction Between "Burden of Persuasion" and "Burden of Production:
64. In order to understand the McDonnell-Douglas order and allocation of proof, it is
necessary to note the distinction between "burden of persuasion" and "burden of
production":
65. The "burden of persuasion" in any proceeding is on the party which has the burden of
persuading the finder of fact that the elements of his case have been proven. BLACK'S
LAW DICTIONARY 178 (5th ed. 1979). The burden of proof in this proceeding was on
the Commission to persuade the finder of fact that disability discrimination has been
proven. See Iowa Code S 216.15(7)(burden of proof on Commission). Of course, in
discrimination cases as in all civil cases, the burden of persuasion is "measured by the
test of preponderance of the evidence," Iowa R. App. Pro. 14(f)(6).
66. The burden of persuasion must be distinguished from what is known as "the burden
of production" or the "burden of going forward." The burden of production refers to the
obligation of a party to introduce evidence sufficient to avoid a ruling against him or her
on an issue. BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY 178 (5th ed. 1979).
C. Summary of the Order and Allocation of Proof In Disparate Treatment Cases Where the
McDonnell-Douglas Analysis is Used:
67. The order and allocation of proof known as the "pretext," or "McDonnell-Douglas"
method was described in the Dorene Polton case. Although the cases refer to the
complainant's burdens of establishing a prima facie case and pretext, those burdens are
borne here by the Commission as this proceeding is before this agency and not a court.
Iowa Code S 216.15(6):
25. In the typical discrimination case, in which the Complainant uses
circumstantial evidence to prove disparate treatment on a prohibited basis,
the burden of production, but not of persuasion, shifts. Iowa Civil Rights
Commission v. Woodbury County Community Action Agency, 304
N.W.2d 448 (Iowa Ct. App. 1981). These shifting burdens of production
"are designed to assure that the [Complainant has] his day in court despite
the unavailability of direct evidence." Trans World Airlines v. Thurston,
469 U.S. 111, 121, 105 S.Ct. 613, 83 L.Ed. 2d 523, 533 (1985).
26. The Complainant has the initial burden of proving a prima facie case
of discrimination by a preponderance of the evidence. Trobaugh v. Hy-
Vee Food Stores, Inc., 392 N.W.2d 154, 156 (Iowa 1986). This showing is
not the equivalent of an ultimate factual finding of discrimination. Furnco
Construction Corp. v. Waters, 438 U.S. 579 (1978). Once a prima facie
case is established, a presumption of discrimination arises. Trobaugh v.
Hy-Vee Food Stores, Inc., 392 N.W.2d 154, 156 (Iowa 1986).
27. The burden of production then shifts to the Respondent, i.e. the
Respondent is required to produce evidence that shows a legitimate, non-
discriminatory reason for its action. Id.; Linn Co-operative Oil Company
v. Quigley, 305 N.W.2d 728, 733 (Iowa 1981); Wing v. Iowa Lutheran
Hospital, 426 N.W.2d 175, 178 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988). If the Respondent
does nothing in the face of the presumption of discrimination which arises
from the establishment of a prima facie case, judgment must be entered for
Complainant as no issue of fact remains. Hamilton v. First Baptist Elderly
Housing Foundation, 436 N.W.2d 336, 338 (Iowa 1989). If Respondent
does produce evidence of a legitimate non-discriminatory reason for its
actions, the presumption of discrimination drops from the case. Trobaugh
v. Hy-Vee Food Stores, Inc., 392 N.W.2d 154, 156 (Iowa 1986).
28. Once the Respondent has produced evidence in support of such
reasons, the burden of production then shifts back to the Complainant to
show that the reasons given are pretextual. Trobaugh v. Hy-Vee Food
Stores, Inc., 392 N.W.2d 154, 157 (Iowa 1986); Wing v. Iowa Lutheran
Hospital, 426 N.W.2d 175, 178 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988). Pretext may be
shown by "persuading the [finder of fact] that a discriminatory reason
more likely motivated the [Respondent] or indirectly by showing that the
[Respondent's] proffered explanation is unworthy of credence." Wing v.
Iowa Lutheran Hospital, 426 N.W.2d 175, 178 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988)
(quoting Texas Department of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S.
248, 256, 101 S. Ct. 1089, 1095, 67 L. Ed. 2d 207, 216 & n.10 (1981)).
29. This burden of production may be met through the introduction of
evidence or by cross- examination. Texas Department of Community
Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 255, 101 S. Ct. 1089, 1095, 67 L. Ed. 2d
207, 216 & n.10 (1981). The Complainant's initial evidence and inferences
drawn therefrom may be considered on the issue of pretext. Id. at n.10.
Dorene Polton, 11 Iowa Civil Rights Commission Case Reports 152, 162 (1992).
D. Complainant's Prima Facie Case:
68. The McDonnell-Douglas case set forth a specific pattern of facts which, if proven,
establish a prima facie case of discrimination. McDonnell-Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411
U.S. 792, 802, 93 S. Ct. 1817, 36 L.Ed. 2d 207 (1973). However, it is well recognized
that decision:
did not purport to create an inflexible formulation. . . . 'The facts
necessarily will vary in [employment discrimination] cases, and the
specification . . . of the prima facie proof required from [a plaintiff] is not
necessarily applicable in every respect to differing factual situations." . . .
The importance of McDonnell-Douglas lies not in its specification of the
discrete elements of proof there required, but in its recognition of the
general principle that any [employment discrimination] plaintiff must
carry the initial burden of offering evidence adequate to create an
inference that an employment decision was based on a discriminatory
criterion illegal under the Act.
Teamsters v. United States, 431 U.S. 324, 358, 97 S. Ct. 1843, 52 L. Ed. 2d 396, 429
(1977)(citing and quoting McDonnell-Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. at 802 n.13)).
69. The burden of establishing a prima facie case of discrimination under the disparate
treatment theory is not onerous. Texas Dept. of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S.
248, 253 (1981). The Complainant is merely required to produce enough evidence to
permit the trier of fact to infer that the Respondent's action was taken for a discriminatory
reason. Id. at 254 n.7. The Complainant did so in this case through production of
evidence indicating that a concern about Complainant's future episodes of cancer
motivated her termination and replacement. See Findings of Fact Nos. 30, 41.
E. Respondents' Articulation, Through the Production of Evidence, of Legitimate Non-
Discriminatory Reasons for Complainant's Termination and Replacement:
70. In order to rebut the Complainant's prima facie case, a Respondent must introduce
admissible evidence which would allow the finder of fact to rationally conclude that the
challenged decision was not motivated by discriminatory animus. Linn Co-operative Oil
Company v. Quigley, 305 N.W.2d 728, 733 (Iowa 1981). The Respondent need not
persuade the finder of fact that it was actually motivated by the proffered reasons. Id.
Nonetheless, the Respondent must produce evidence that "[Complainant] was discharged
for a legitimate, nondiscriminatory reason." Hamilton v. First Baptist Elderly Housing
Foundation, 436 N.W.2d 336, 338 (Iowa 1989). This burden cannot be met "merely
through an answer to the complaint or through argument of counsel." Texas Department
of Community Affairs v. Burdine, 450 U.S. 248, 255, 101 S.Ct. 1089, 67 L.Ed. 2d. 207,
216 n.9 (1981)). If a Respondent fails to state a sufficient reason to meet this burden, the
Complainant "need only prove the elements of the prima facie case to win." Loeb v.
Textron, 600 F.2d 1003, 1018, 20 Fair Empl. Prac. Cases 29, 40 n.20 (1st Cir. 1979). It
was found that there was sufficient evidence in the record to rebut the prima facie case.
See Finding of Fact No.45.
F. Respondent's Reasons Shown to Be Pretexts for Discrimination:
71. There are a variety of ways in which it may be shown that Respondent's articulated
reasons are pretexts for discrimination, not all of which are enumerated below. See
Furnco Construction Corp. v. Waters, 438 U.S. 567, 578 (1978); La Montagne v.
American Convenience Products, Inc., 750 F.2d 1405, 1409, 36 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas.
913, 922 n.6 (7th Cir. 1984).
72.
30. [Pretext may be proven] by evidence showing:
(1) that the proffered reasons had no basis in fact, (2) that the proffered
reasons did not actually motivate the [challenged employment action], or
(3) that the proffered reasons were insufficient to motivate the [challenged
employment action].
Bechold v. IGW Systems, Inc., 817 F.2d 1282, 43 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas.
1512, 1515 (7th Cir. 1987).
Ruth Miller, 11 Iowa Civil Rights Commission Case Reports 26, 48 (1990). Pretext in the
instant case was demonstrated by findings of fact indicating that the reasons articulated
by Respondent did not actually motivate the discharge or were insufficient to motivate
the termination under the circumstances. See Finding of Fact No. 47-60, 61-62, 68-79.
73.
31. In addition, "[t]he reasonableness of the employer's reasons may . . . be
probative of whether they are pretexts. The more idiosyncratic or
questionable the employer's reason, the easier it will be to expose it as a
pretext." Loeb v. Textron, Inc., 600 F.2d 1003, 1012, 20 Fair Empl. Prac.
Cas. 29, 35 n.6 (1st Cir. 1979). The focus, however, is on the employer's
motivation and not its business judgment. Id.
Id. at 48-49.
74. In a pretext case, the"factfinder's rejection of some of the defendant's proffered
reasons may impede the employer's credibility seriously enough so that a factfinder may
rationally disbelieve the remaining proffered reasons even if no evidence undermining
those remaining rationales in particular is available." Fuentes v. Perskie, 32 F.3d 759, 65
Fair Empl. Cas. 890, 894 at n.7 (3rd Cir. 1994). In addition, "weaknesses,
implausibilities, inconsistencies, incoherencies, or contradictions in the employer's
proffered legitimate reasons for its action" may support the conclusion that such reasons
are "unworthy of credence" and therefore pretexts for discrimination. Id. at 894. See
Findings of Fact No. 65-75A. The employer's failure to adequately investigate the facts
(e.g. Complainant's anticipated date of return to work) before terminating an employee or
inconsistent statements or actions (e.g. letting Complainant believe she is on leave when
she has actually been replaced) may be probative on the issue of pretext. See Findings of
Fact Nos. 35-39, 47, 76-79).
75. An ultimate finding of discrimination, as made in this case, may be supported by:
the combination of (1) the inference (not the presumption) of
discrimination established by the evidence which demonstrated a prima
facie case and (2) a determination that the employer's articulated reasons
are false or "unworthy of credence". . ..
Maxine Boomgarden, 12 Iowa Civil Rights Case Reports 31, 50 (1993) (citing St. Mary's
Honor Center v. Hicks, 509 U.S. ____, 113 S.Ct. 2447, 125 L.Ed. 2d 407, 418-19
(1993)).
76. Under Hicks "a factfinder . . . is entitled to infer discrimination from plaintiff's proof
of a prima facie case and showing of pretext without anything more" Washington v.
Garrett, 10 F.3d 1421, 1433, 63 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. 540, 549 (9th Cir. 1993). See also
Anderson v. Baxter Healthcare Center, 13 F.3d 1120, 63 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. 1016,
1019 & n.3 (7th Cir. 1994)(rejecting as dicta language in Hicks indicating that anything
more than a prima facie case and disbelief of employer's reasons is required to show
discrimination).
77. In pretext cases, "the rejection of the defendant's proffered reasons, will permit the
trier of fact to infer the ultimate fact of intentional discrimination, and the Court of
Appeals was correct, when it noted that, upon such rejection, 'no other proof of
discrimination is required.' 970 F.2d at 493." Id., 62 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. at 100. While
this Commission is not legally compelled to find discrimination when the employer's
reasons are disbelieved, it may do so, see id., and has done so in this case.
78. Pretext has also been shown by direct evidence persuading the Commission that
discrimination was more likely than not the true explanation for the termination and
replacement of Complainant Martin. See Conclusion of Law No. 67. .
79. Thus, under the McDonnell-Douglas analysis, Complainant has met her burden of
persuasion with regard to establishing disability discrimination in violation of Iowa Code
section 601A.6 (now S 216.6).
X. REMEDIES:
80.
Violation of Iowa Code section 216.6 having been established the
Commission has the duty to issue a cease and desist order and to carry out
other necessary remedial action. Iowa Code § 216.15(8) (1993). In
formulating these measures, the Commission does not merely provide a
remedy for this specific dispute, but corrects broader patterns of behavior
which constitute the practice of discrimination. Iron Workers Local No. 67
v. Hart, 191 N.W.2d 758, 770 (Iowa 1971). "An appropriate remedial
order should close off 'untraveled roads' to the illicit end and not 'only the
worn one.'" Id. at 771.
Maxine Boomgarden, 12 Iowa Civil Rights Case Reports at 58.
A. Compensatory Damages: Back Pay:
1. Purposes of Back Pay:
81.
77. The award of back pay . . . in employment discrimination cases serves
two purposes. First, "the reasonably certain prospect of a back pay award .
. . provide[s] the spur or catalyst which causes employers and unions to
self- examine and to self-evaluate their employment practices and to
endeavor to eliminate [employment discrimination]." Albemarle Paper
Company v. Moody, 422 U.S. 405, 418-19, 95 S.Ct. 2362, 2371-72, 45 L.
Ed. 2d 280 (1975). Second, back pay serves to "make persons whole for
injuries suffered on account of unlawful employment discrimination." Id.
422 U.S. at 419, 95 S.Ct. at 2372. Both of these purposes would be served
by an award of back pay in the present case.
Maxine Boomgarden, 12 Iowa Civil Rights Case Reports at 58.
2. Principles to Be Followed In Computing Back Pay:
82. The following principles were followed in determining Complainant Martin's back
pay and benefit amounts:
78. . . . [T]wo basic principles [are] to be followed in computing awards in
discrimination cases: "First, an unrealistic exactitude is not required.
Second, uncertainties in determining what an employee would have earned
before the discrimination should be resolved against the employer." Hy-
Vee Food Stores, Inc. v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 453 N.W.2d 512,
530-531 (Iowa 1990). "It suffices for the [agency] to determine the
amount of back wages as a matter of just and reasonable inferences.
Difficulty of ascertainment is no longer confused with right of recovery."
Id. at 531.
Maxine Boomgarden, 12 Iowa Civil Rights Case Reports at 59. Also of importance was
the requirement that this Commission adhere to the factual stipulations of the parties. See
Conclusion of Law No. 3.
C. Compensatory Damages: Emotional Distress:
1. Legal Authority For and Purpose of Power to Award Damages for Emotional Distress:
83. The following principles were applied in determining whether and what amount of
damages for emotional distress should be awarded: In considering the question of
emotional distress damages, it must be borne in mind that the Act is a "manifestation of a
massive national drive to right wrongs prevailing in our social and economic structures
for more than a century," Iron Workers Local No. 67 v. Hart, 191 N.W.2d 758, 765 (Iowa
1971).
84. "[T]he real purpose behind a civil rights award is to make the person whole for an
injury suffered as a result of unlawful employment discrimination." Allison-Bristow v.
Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 461 N.W.2d 456, 459 (Iowa 1990). A victim of
discrimination is to receive "a remedy for his or her complete injury," including damages
for emotional distress. Hy-Vee at 525-26.
85. The Iowa Supreme Court's observations on the emotional distress damages resulting
from wrongful discharge are applicable to this case:
[Such action] offends standards of fair conduct . . . the [victim of
discrimination] may suffer mentally. "Humiliation, wounded pride and the
like may cause very acute mental anguish." [citations omitted]. We know
of no logical reason why . . . damages should be limited to out-of- pocket
loss of income, when the [victim] also suffers causally connected
emotional harm. . . . We believe that fairness alone justifies the allowance
of a full recovery in this type of tort.
Niblo v. Parr Mfg. Co., 445 N.W.2d 351, 355 (Iowa 1989).
86. Other courts have also made observations which apply to this case:
Evidence of distress was received. That distress is not unknown when
discrimination has occurred. . . . But as the trial progressed it became more
apparent that the psychic harm which might accompany an act of
discrimination might be greater than would first appear. . . .
Discrimination is a vicious act. It may destroy hope and any trace of self-
respect. That . . . is perhaps the injury which is felt the most and the one
which is the greatest.
Belton, Remedies in Employment Discrimination Law 408 (1992)(quoting Humphrey v.
Southwestern Portland Cement Company, 369 F. Supp. 832, 834 (W.D. Tex. 1973).
87.
Emotions are intangible but are no the less perceptible. The hurt done to
feelings and to reputation by an invasion of [civil] rights is no less real and
no less compensable than the cost of repairing a broken window pane or a
damaged lock. Wounded psyche and soul are to be salved by damages as
much as the property that can be replaced at the local hardware store.
Id. (quoting Foster v. MCI Telecommunications Corp., 773 F.2d 1116, 1120 (10th Cir.
1985)(quoting Baskin v. Parker, 602 F.2d 1205, 1209 (5th Cir. 1979)).
2. "Humiliation," "Wounded Pride," "Anger", "Hurt" and "Upset" Are All Forms of
Compensable Emotional Distress:
88. Among the many forms of emotional distress which may be compensated are "anger,"
"upset," "hurt," Kentucky Commission on Human Rights v. Fraser, 625 S.W.2d 852, 856
(Ky. 1981); 2 Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Damages for Embarrassment and
Humiliation in Discrimination Cases 24- 29 (1982)(citing Fraser and 121-129 Broadway
Realty v. New York Division of Human Rights, 49 A.D.2d 422, 376 N.Y.S.2d 17
(1975)), "humiliation, wounded pride, and the like." Niblo v. Parr Mfg. Co., 445 N.W.2d
at 355.
3. Liberal Proof Requirements for Emotional Distress Are Consistent With the Requirement That
The Statute Is To Be Liberally Construed to Effectuate Its Purpose:
89. Emotional distress damages must be proven. Blessum v. Howard County Board of
Supervisors, 295 N.W.2d 836, 845 (Iowa 1980). These damages must be and have been
proven here, as in any civil proceeding, by a preponderance or "greater weight" of the
evidence and not by any more stringent standard. Iowa R. App. Pro. 14(f)(6).
90. Disability discrimination in employment violates:
not only a statute but a strong public policy underlying that statute. . . .
[O]ur civil rights statute is to be liberally construed to eliminate unfair and
discriminatory acts and practices. [Citation omitted]. We therefore hold a
civil rights complainant may recover compensable damages for emotional
distress without a showing of physical injury, severe distress, or
outrageous conduct.
Hy Vee Food Stores, Inc. v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 453 N.W.2d 512, 526 (Iowa
1990)(emphasis added).
4. Emotional Distress May Be Proven By Testimony of A Complainant and Members of Her
Family:
91. "The [complainants'] own testimony may be solely sufficient to establish humiliation
or mental distress." Williams v. TransWorld Airlines, Inc., 660 F.2d 1267, 1273, 27 Fair
Empl. Prac. Cases 487, 491 (8th Cir. 1981). See also Crumble v. Blumthal, 549 F.2d 462,
467 (7th Cir. 1977); Smith v. Anchor Building Corp., 536 F.2d 231, 236 (8th Cir. 1976);
Phillips v. Butler, 3 Eq. Opp. Hous. Cas. § 15388 (N.D. Ill. 1981); Belton, Remedies in
Employment Discrimination Law 415 (1992). Of course, testimony of a complainant's
family members may also be supportive of a finding of emotional distress. See Blessum
v. Howard County Board of Supervisors, 295 N.W.2d 836, 845 (Iowa 1980).
5. Evidence of Complainant's Economic Loss, Loss of Work, Near Depression, and Tearfulness
In This Case Helps Establish Emotional Distress Although Such Damages Can Be Awarded In
the Absence of Evidence of Such Economic Loss or Medical Evidence of Physical or Mental
Impairment:
92. In discrimination cases, an award of damages for emotional distress can be made in
the absence of "evidence of economic or financial loss, or medical evidence of mental or
emotional impairment." Seaton v. Sky Realty, 491 F.2d 634, 636 (7th Cir. 1974). There
was, however, substantial financial loss in this case as indicated by the back pay figures.
This evidence of economic loss, loss of work, tearfulness and near depression by the
Complainant, may also be considered when assessing the existence or extent of emotional
distress. See Blessum v. Howard County Board of Supervisors, 295 N.W.2d 836, 845
(Iowa 1980)(impact on work); Fellows v. Iowa Civil Rights Commission, 236 N.W.2d
671, 676 (Iowa Ct. App. 1988)(economic loss, depression).
6. Determining the Amount of Damages for Emotional Distress:
93.
[D]etermining the amount to be awarded for [emotional distress] is a
difficult task. As one court has suggested, "compensation for damages on
account of injuries of this nature is, of course, incapable of yardstick
measurement. It is impossible to lay down any definite rule for measuring
such damages."
2 Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Damages for Embarrassment and
Humiliation in Discrimination Cases 24-29 (1982)(quoting Randall v. Cowlitz
Amusements, 76 P.2d 1017 (Wash. 1938)).
94. Although awards in other cases have little value in determining the amount an award
should be in another specific case, Lynch v. City of Des Moines, 454 N.W.2d 827, 836-
37 (Iowa 1990), there are many examples of such awards, ranging from $500 to
$150,000, for emotional distress in discrimination cases. See e.g. Belton, Remedies in
Employment Discrimination Law 416 n.78 (1992)(listing awards in 19 cases; 17 of which
were for $10,000 or over). While any award should be tailored to the particular case, one
commentator has noted that "a $750 award for mental distress is 'chump change.' Awards
must be made which are large enough to compensate the victim of discrimination
adequately for the injury suffered." 2 Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, Damages
for Embarrassment and Humiliation in Discrimination Cases 60-61 (1982).
95. Like back pay, the reasonably certain prospect of an emotional distress damages
award, when such damages are proven, serves to encourage employers to evaluate their
own procedures to ensure they are nondiscriminatory. See id. at 61. Cf. Albemarle Paper
Company v. Moody, 422 U.S. 405, 418-19, 95 S.Ct. 2362, 2371-72, 45 L. Ed. 2d 280
(1975)(back pay).
96.
45. The two primary determinants of the amount awarded for damages for
emotional distress are the severity of the distress and the duration of the
distress. Bean v. Best, 93 N.W.2d 403, 408 (S.D. 1958)(citing Restatement
of Torts § 905). "'In determining this, all relevant circumstances are
considered, including sex, age, condition of life, and any other fact
indicating the susceptibility of the injured person to this type of harm.'
And continuing 'The extent and duration of emotional distress produced
by the tortious conduct depend upon the sensitiveness of the injured
person.'" Id. (quoting Restatement of Torts S 905). [See also Restatement
(Second) of Torts S 905 (comment i).]
Dorene Polton, 10 Iowa Civil Rights Commission Case Reports 152, 166 (1992).
D. Interest:
1. Pre-Judgment Interest:
98. The Iowa Civil Rights Act allows an award of actual damages to persons injured by
discriminatory practices. Iowa Code § 601A.15(8)(a)(8). Pre-judgment interest is
awarded in discrimination cases as "an element of complete compensation." Loeffler v.
Frank, 486 U.S. 549, 46 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. 1659 (1988). It "is allowed to repay the
lost value of the use of the money awarded and to prevent persons obligated to pay
money to another from profiting through delay in litigation." Landals v. Rolfes Company,
454 N.W.2d 891, 898 (Iowa 1990). Pre-judgment interest is properly awarded on an
ascertainable claim. Dobbs, Hornbook on Remedies 166-67 (1973). Because the amount
of back pay due Complainant at any given time has been an ascertainable claim since the
time their employment ended, pre-judgment interest should be awarded on the back pay.
Such interest should run from the date on which back pay would have been paid if there
were no discrimination. Hunter v. Allis Chalmers Corp., 797 F.2d 1417, 1425-26 (7th
Cir. 1986)(common law rule). The method of computing pre-judgment interest is left to
the reasonable discretion of the Commission. Schei & Grossman, Employment
Discrimination Law: Five Year Cumulative Supplement 543 (2nd ed. 1989). No pre-
judgment interest is awarded on emotional distress damages because these are not
ascertainable before a final judgment. See Dobbs, Hornbook on Remedies 165 (1973).
2. Post-Judgment Interest:
99. Post-judgment interest is usually awarded upon almost all money judgments,
including judgments for emotional distress damages. Dobbs, Hornbook on Remedies 164
(1973).
E. Hearing Costs:
100. An administrative rule of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission provides, in relevant
part, that: "If the complainant or the commission prevails in the hearing, the respondent
shall pay the 'contested case costs' incurred by the commission." 161 IAC 4.7(1).
"Contested case costs" include only:
a. The daily charge of the court reporter for attending and transcribing the
hearing.
b. All mileage charges of the court reporter for traveling to and from the
hearing.
c. All travel time charges of the court reporter for traveling to and from the
hearing.
d. The cost of the original of the transcripts of the hearing.
e. Postage incurred by the administrative law judge in sending by mail
(regular or certified) any papers which are made part of the record.
161 IAC 4.7(3).
101. Since the Commission and the complainant have prevailed in this case, an order
awarding contested case costs is appropriate. The record should be held open so a bill of
costs may be submitted after this decision becomes final. See Connie Zesch-Luense, 12
Iowa Civil Rights Commission Case Reports 160, 173 (1994).
X. CREDIBILITY AND TESTIMONY:
102. In addition to other factors mentioned in the findings of fact on credibility, the
Administrative Law Judge and the Commission have been guided by the following
principles:
[T]he ultimate determination of the finder of fact "is not dependent on the
number of witnesses. The weight of the testimony is the important factor."
Wiese v. Hoffman, 249 Iowa 416, 424, 86 N.W.2d 861, 867 (1957). In
determining the credibility of a witness and what weight is to be given to
testimony, the factfinder may consider the witness' "conduct and
demeanor. . . [including] the frankness, or lack thereof, and the general
demeanor of witnesses," In Re Moffatt, 279 N.W.2d 15, 17-18 (Iowa
1979); Wiese v. Hoffman, 249 Iowa 416, 424, 86 N.W.2d 861, 867
(1957), as well as "the plausibility of the evidence. The [factfinder] may
use its good judgment as to the details of the occurrence . . . and all proper
and reasonable deductions to be drawn from the evidence." Wiese v.
Hoffman, 249 Iowa 416, 424-25, 86 N.W.2d 861 (1957).
Testimony may be unimpeached by any direct evidence to the contrary
and yet be so . . . inconsistent with other circumstances established in the
evidence, . . . , as to be subject to rejection by the . . . trier of the facts.
. . .
The [factfinder] . . . might well scrutinize closely such testimony as to its
credibility, taking into consideration all the circumstances throwing light
thereon, such as the interest of the witnesses, remote or otherwise.
Kaiser v. Strathas, 263 N.W.2d 522, 526 (Iowa 1978)(citations omitted).
103. The factors cited above, such as consistency with the other circumstances in the
record, interest, conduct and demeanor have been used in determining credibility in this
case.
104. "Deference is due to hearing officer [now administrative law judge] decisions
concerning issues of credibility of witnesses." Peoples Memorial Hospital v. Iowa Civil
Rights Commission, 322 N.W.2d 87, 92 (Iowa 1982)(citing Bangor and Aroostook
Railroad Co. v. ICC, 574 F.2d 1096, 1110 (1st Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 837, 99 S.Ct.
121, 58 L.Ed2d 133 (1978)(deference is due by reviewing court to ALJ findings on
credibility even when agency has reached a contrary decision)).
105. Such deference is given because the administrative adjudicator who views the
witnesses and observes their demeanor at the hearing is "in a far superior position to
determine the question of credibility than is this court." Libe v. Board of Education, 350
N.W.2d 748, 750 (Iowa Ct. App. 1984). "Factual disputes depending heavily on the
credibility of witnesses are best resolved by the trial court" Capital Savings & Loan Assn.
v. First Financial Savings & Loan Assn., 364 N.W.2d 267, 271 (Iowa Ct. App.
1984)(quoted in Board v. Justman, 476 N.W.2d 335, 338 (Iowa 1991)). See Anderson v.
City of Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 575, 37 Fair Empl. Prac. Cas. 396 (1985).
DECISION AND ORDER:
IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED that:
A. The Complainant, Kathrine Martin, and the Iowa Civil Rights Commission are entitled
to judgment because they have established that Complainant Martin's termination and
replacement by the Respondents J. Des McIvor and Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center
were in violation of Iowa Code Section 601A.6 (now 216.6).
B. Complainant Martin is entitled to a judgment of twelve thousand eight hundred forty
dollars and twenty- five cents ($12,840.25) in back pay for the loss resulting from her
termination.
C. Complainant Martin is entitled to judgment in the following amounts for the benefits
indicated:
1. Retirement Plan Contributions: One thousand two hundred eighty-four dollars
and three cents ($1,284.03).
2. Health Insurance Premiums: Two thousand two hundred eighty-nine dollars
and fifty-eight cents ($2,289.58).
3. Education Reimbursement Program: Four hundred twenty dollars ($420.00).
D. Complainant Martin is entitled to a judgment of fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000.00)
in compensatory damages against Respondents for the emotional distress sustained as a
result of the discrimination practiced against her.
E. Interest, at the rate of ten percent per annum, shall be paid by the Respondents to
Complainant Martin on her awards of back pay and benefits, as set forth in paragraphs B
and C of this order, commencing on the date payment would have been made if
Complainant had not been terminated and continuing until date of payment.
F. Interest, at the rate of ten percent per annum, shall be paid by the Respondents to
Complainant Martin on her award of compensatory damages for emotional distress,
commencing on the date this order becomes final and continuing until date of payment.
G. Complainant's seniority shall be restored. Her personnel records shall indicate that
Complainant's hire date is March 12, 1990. Complainant shall receive one additional day
of personal leave, 15 days of accrued vacation leave, and 12 days of accrued sick leave or
permanent disability leave (up to the limits indicated in the personnel policy) to reflect
the year (8/91-8/92) she was off work. Her vacation shall accrue under the personnel
policy as if she had been continuously employed since March 12, 1990.
H. Within 45 calendar days after the date this order becomes final, provided that
agreement can be reached between the parties on this issue, the parties shall submit a
written stipulation stating the amount of attorney's fees to be awarded Complainant's
attorney. If any of the parties cannot agree on a full stipulation to the fees, they shall so
notify the Administrative Law Judge in writing and an evidentiary hearing on the record
shall be held by the Administrative Law Judge for the purpose of the determining the
proper amount of fees to be awarded. If no written notice is received by the expiration of
45 calendar days from the date of this order, the Administrative Law Judge shall schedule
a conference in order to determine the status of the attorneys fees issue and to determine
whether an evidentiary hearing should be scheduled or other appropriate action taken.
Once the full stipulation is submitted or the hearing is completed, the Administrative Law
Judge shall submit for the Commission's consideration a Supplemental Proposed
Decision and Order setting forth a determination of attorney's fees.
I. The Commission retains jurisdiction of this case in order to determine the actual
amount of attorneys fees to which Complainant is entitled to under this order and to enter
a subsequent order awarding these fees. This order is final in all respects except for the
determination of the amount of the attorney's fees.
J Respondents are assessed all hearing costs allowed by Commission Rule 4.7(3) and
which were actually incurred in the processing of this public hearing. The precise
calculation of costs shall be as shown on the bill of costs which is to be issued under the
executive director's signature after this decision becomes final. The record shall be held
open for this purpose.
K. Respondents are hereby ordered to cease and desist from any further practices of
disability discrimination in employment.
L. Respondent Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center shall post, within 60 days of the
date of this order, in conspicuous places at its locations at Oelwein and Decorah, Iowa, in
areas readily accessible to and frequented by employees, the notice, entitled "Equal
Employment Opportunity is the Law," which is available from the Commission.
M. Respondent Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center (NEIMHC) shall amend its
personnel policies, within 180 days of the date of the final order in this case, to include
written policies to be developed by Commission staff on sick leave, and other leave for
illness or disability, which shall be designed to prevent future instances of disability or
perceived disability discrimination. Respondent NEIMHC shall cooperate in the
development of such policies. In the event, in the sole judgment of the Commission's
representative, agreement cannot be reached on the language of such policy, the version
drafted by the Commission shall be adopted by the Respondent.
N. Respondent Northeast Iowa Mental Center shall file a report with the Commission
within 210 calendar days of the date of this order detailing what steps it has taken to
comply with paragraphs G, L and M of this order.
Signed this the 11th day of September, 1995.
________________________________________
DONALD W. BOHLKEN
Administrative Law Judge
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
211 E. Maple
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
515-281-4480
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER
1. On this date, the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, at its regular meeting, adopted the
Administrative Law Judge's proposed decision and order which is hereby incorporated in
its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Signed this the 27th day of October, 1995.
_______________________________
Dale Repass
Chairperson
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
211 E. Maple
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Note: The Respondents agreed to pay $40000.00 to the Complainant for all damages and
attorney's fees. The Respondents also agreed to restore Complainant's seniority rights and to
cause her personal records to show that her hire date was March 12, 1990. The Respondents did
file a petition for judicial review on other matters which resulted in a limited remand from
Winneshiek County District Court as the Commission did not have authority to develop leave
policies for the Respondent. The remand resulted in the following new final order:
FINAL ORDER
On February 28, 1997 the Iowa Civil Rights Commission, at its regular meeting
considered the matter of Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center (NEIMHC) v. Iowa Civil
Rights Commission, Martin, CPE09-91-21510, on remand from the Iowa District Court
for Winneshiek County. Upon further consideration of the matter and the order of the
court, the Commission amended its final order by deleting that portion of paragraph M
that provided that the Iowa Civil Rights Commission shall develop policies and provides,
instead, that personnel policies will be developed by NEIMHC.
The amendment to paragraph M is as follows:
M. Respondent Northeast Iowa Mental Health Center (NEIMHC) shall amend its
personnel policies with regard to sick leave and other leave for illness or disability to
prevent future instances of disability or perceived disability discrimination within 180
days of the date of the final order in this case. [The remainder of the original paragraph M
is stricken].
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Issued this 28th day of February, 1997.
______________________________
DON GROVE, Executive Director, for
BERNARD BIDNE, Iowa Civil Rights Commission Chairperson